cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seedling and sapling recruitment following novel silvicultural treatments in Great Lakes northern hardwoods

Abstract Conventional forestry practices in Great Lakes northern hardwoods tend to promote the regeneration of a few economically important tree species, and may consequently contribute to a decline in mid-tolerant species abundance and tree species diversity. Using a greater variety of silvicultural systems to emulate a range of historical disturbances may help to restore historical mid-tolerant species abundance and tree diversity. To test the link between seedling recruitment and sapling recruitment and disturbance-based management systems, we implemented a novel silvicultural experiment using a variety of harvest and site preparation treatments ranging from single-tree selection to clear-cut and scarification, which emulate regionally-specific natural disturbance regimes. We predicted that mid-severity harvest treatments would promote mid-tolerant sapling recruitment, while scarification and the creation of pit-mound topography would favor recruitment of small-seeded species such as yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.). We found that seedling and sapling composition was related to silvicultural treatment and driven by an opposing gradient of canopy openness and leaf litter depth along with temporal soil water content variation. Yellow birch seedling density, however, had little relation to silvicultural treatment but was instead predicted by positive relationships with leaf litter depth variation and residual conspecific basal area. Our findings suggest that silvicultural systems aimed at promoting species diversity in northern hardwoods should consider, along with conventional techniques, modifying litter depth and canopy openness while retaining seed trees.
Pioneer factor GAF cooperates with PBAP and NURF to regulate transcription

Summary Transcriptionally silent genes must be activated throughout development. This requires nucleosomes be removed from promoters and enhancers to allow transcription factor binding (TFs) and recruitment of coactivators and RNA Polymerase II (Pol II). Specialized pioneer TFs bind nucleosome-wrapped DNA to perform this chromatin opening by mechanisms that remain incompletely understood1–3. Here, we show that GAGA-factor (GAF), a Drosophila pioneer factor4, interacts with both SWI/SNF and ISWI family chromatin remodelers to allow recruitment of Pol II and entry to a promoter-proximal paused state, and also to promote Pol II’s transition to productive elongation. We found that GAF functions with PBAP (SWI/SNF) to open chromatin and allow Pol II to be recruited. Importantly this activity is not dependent on NURF as previously proposed5–7; however, GAF also functions with NURF downstream of this process to ensure efficient Pol II pause release and transition to productive elongation apparently through its role in precisely positioning the +1 nucleosome. These results demonstrate how a single sequence-specific pioneer TF can synergize with remodelers to activate sets of genes. Furthermore, this behavior of remodelers is consistent with findings in yeast8–10 and mice11–13, and likely represents general, conserved mechanisms found throughout Eukarya.
A high density piezoelectric energy harvesting device from highway traffic – Design analysis and laboratory validation

Abstract This paper introduces an innovative piezoelectric energy harvesting device with a high density of the energy harvested from highway traffic. The piezoelectric energy harvesting device has a compression-to-compression force amplification mechanism provided by clamped-clamped nonlinear elastic beams. The amplification mechanism enables the device to fully explore the power conversion potential of the piezoelectric material and can deliver the harvested electricity far more than that generated by the same piezoelectric material under direct compressive loading without amplification. For example, when the amplification factor is equal to 10, the generated electricity is nearly 100 times bigger. A multi-objective optimal design problem of the piezoelectric energy harvesting device is formulated. A set of multi-objective optimal designs has been found numerically in the parameter space. The paper presents the analysis of the nonlinear beams and a finite element model of multi-layer piezoelectric ceramic stacks. Impulsive time dynamic loadings from the passing vehicles are considered. The dynamic response of the piezoelectric energy harvesting device to the impulsive traffic loadings is investigated. The laboratory test results are presented to validate the mathematical model and mechanical design of the device. In a quasi-static load cycle of 1333 N , a preloaded piezoelectric energy harvesting device prototype ( 142 × 42 × 84 mm 3 ) is able to generate a voltage of 128 V and a potential electric energy of 120 mJ while the sinking displacement is 2.54 mm . Numerical results of the dynamic response show that the piezoelectric energy harvesting device performs well over a wide range of vehicle speed from 8.05 to 128.75 km/h. High speed seems beneficial to energy harvesting.
Cost-effectiveness of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for Grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Object Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for spondylolisthesis-associated back and leg pain is associated with improvement in pain, disability, and quality of life. However, given the rising health care costs associated with spinal fusion procedures and varying results of recent cost-utility studies, the cost-effectiveness of TLIF remains unclear. The authors set out to assess the comprehensive costs of TLIF at their institution and to determine its cost-effectiveness in the treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis. Methods Forty-five patients undergoing TLIF for Grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis–associated back and leg pain after 6–12 months of conservative therapy were included. The authors assessed the 2-year back pain visual analog scale (VAS) score, leg pain VAS score, Oswestry Disability Index, and total back-related medical resource utilization, missed work, and health-state values (quality-adjusted life years [QALYs], calculated from EQ-5D with US valuation). Two-year resource ...
Dimensions of acculturation and biological dysregulation among Latina/os: the role of ethnic background, gender, and immigrant generation.

Objective: Research examining how different dimensions of acculturative beliefs and behaviors influence the risk of biological dysregulation among Latina/os is limited. This study examined associat...
Linear and Nonlinear Plasma Processes in Ionospheric HF Heating

Featured observations of high frequency (HF) heating experiments are first introduced; the uniqueness of each observation is presented; the likely cause and physical process of each observed phenomenon instigated by the HF heating are discussed. A special point in the observations, revealed through the ionograms, is the competition between the Langmuir parametric instability and upper hybrid parametric instability excited in the heating experiments and the impact of the natural cusp at foE (the peak plasma frequency of the ionospheric E region) on the competition. The ionograms also infer the generation of Langmuir and upper hybrid cavitons. Ray tracing theory is formulated. With and without the appearance of large-scale field-aligned density irregularities in the background ionosphere, ray trajectories of the ordinary mode (O-mode) and extraordinary mode (X-mode) sounding pulses are calculated numerically. The results explain the artificial Spread-F recorded by the digisondes in the heating experiments. Parametric instabilities, which are the directly relevant processes to achieve effective heating of the ionospheric F region, are formulated and analyzed. The threshold fields and growth rates of Langmuir and upper hybrid parametric instabilities are derived as the theoretical basis of many radar observations and electron-plasma wave interactions. Harmonic cyclotron resonance interaction processes between electrons and upper hybrid waves are introduced. Formulation and analysis are presented. The numerical results show that ultra-energetic electrons are generated. These electrons enhance airglow at 777.4 nm as well as cause ionization. Physical processes leading to the generation of artificial ionization layers are discussed. The nonlinear Schrodinger equation governing the nonlinear evolution of Langmuir waves and upper hybrid waves are derived and solved. The nonlinear periodic and solitary solutions of the equations are obtained. The localized Langmuir and upper hybrid waves generated by the HF heater form cavitons near the HF reflection layer and near the upper hybrid resonance layer, which induce bumps in the virtual height spread of the ionogram trace similar to that induced by the density cusp at E-F1 transition layer; the down-going Langmuir waves and upper hybrid waves evolve into nonlinear periodic waves propagating along the magnetic field, which backscatter incoherently the sounding pulses to cause downward virtual height spread.
Barriers to Building More Effective Treatments: Negative Interactions Among Smoking-Intervention Components:

Meaningfully improved mental and behavioral health treatment is an unrealized dream. Across three factorial experiments, inferential tests in prior studies showed a pattern of negative interactions...
Zoo Veterinarians Gone Wild: Meddling as Methodology in Times of Crisis

Despite their centrality to the operation of contemporary accredited zoo and aquarium institutions, the work of zoo veterinarians has rarely been the focus of a critical analysis in the social science and humanities. Drawing on in-depth interviews and observations of zoo and aquarium veterinarians, mainly in Europe and North America, this book highlights the recent transformation that has occurred in the zoo veterinarian profession during a time of ecological crisis, and what these changes can teach us about our rapidly changing planet. Zoo vets, Braverman instructs us with a wink, have "gone wild." Originally an individual welfare-centered profession, these experts are increasingly concerned with the sustainability of wild animal populations and with ecological health. The story of zoo vets going wild—in their subjects of care, their motivations, and their ethical standards, as well as in their professional practices and scientific techniques—is also a story about zoo animals gone wild, wild animals encroaching the zoo, and, more generally, a wild world that is becoming "zoo-ified." Such transformations have challenged existing veterinary standards and practices. Exploring the regulatory landscape that governs the work of zoo and aquarium veterinarians, Braverman traverses the gap between the hard and soft sciences and between humans and nonhumans. At the intersection of animal studies, socio-legal studies, and science and technology studies, this book will appeal not only to those interested in zoos and in animal welfare, but also to scholars in the posthumanities.
Consumers & Creative Destruction: Fair Use Beyond Market Failure

For almost twenty years, the concept of market failure has defined the boundaries of fair use under copyright law. In this article Professor Ku challenges this interpretation of fair use by offering an alternative economic interpretation of the doctrine. This Article argues fair use is justified when consumer copying creatively destroys the need for copy- right's exclusive rights in reproduction and distribution. This occurs when: 1) the consumer of a work makes copies of it, and 2) creation of the work does not depend upon funding derived from the sale of copies. Under these circumstances, exclusive rights in reproduction and distribution, which are conventionally justified by the need to prevent the under- production of creative works due to free riding, are unnecessary. When both conditions are satisfied, copying does not lead to the underproduction of creative works because consumers distribute the work themselves, eliminating the need for content distributor middlemen while continuing to fund the creation of those creative works. Professor Ku argues that recognizing the process of creative destruction as fair use is not only consistent with an economic interpretation of copyright, but represents the most coherent interpretation of the consumer copying decisions handed down by the Supreme Court.
Childhood Socioeconomic Status and Polygenic Scores for Cognition Have Independent Associations with Cognitive Performance During Middle Childhood

Childhood cognitive abilities are heritable and influenced by malleable environmental factors such as socioeconomic status (SES). As cognition and SES share genetic architecture, it is critical to understand the extent to which SES is associated with cognition beyond genetic propensity to inform the potential benefit of SES-based interventions. Previous investigations conducted in small samples have suggested that SES is linked with cognitive ability independent of polygenic prediction for educational attainment. Here, we extend this work to a large sample (total n = 4,650) of children (ages 9-10) of genomically-confirmed European ancestry. We find that an SES composite (i.e., family income-to-needs, caregiver education, and neighborhood median income) and a polygenic cognition score composite created using genomic structural equation modeling (COG PGS; Educational Attainment, Intelligence, and Executive Function) are associated with cognitive performance indices (i.e., general ability, executive function, learning/memory, fluid intelligence) that are largely independent of one another. SES x COG PGS interactions are not associated with cognition. These findings provide further evidence for the significant role of modifiable environmental factors in the development of cognitive abilities in youth.
Behavioral and postural analyses establish sleep-like states for mosquitoes that can impact interactions with hosts

Sleep is an evolutionarily conserved process that has been described in different animal systems. For insects, sleep characterization has been primarily achieved using behavioral and electrophysiological correlates in a few systems. Sleep in mosquitoes, which are important vectors of disease-causing pathogens, has not been directly examined. This is surprising as circadian rhythms, which have been well studied in mosquitoes, influence sleep in other systems. In this study, we characterized sleep in mosquitoes using body posture analysis and behavioral correlates, and quantified the effect of sleep deprivation on sleep rebound and host landing. Body and appendage position metrics revealed a clear distinction between the posture of mosquitoes in their putative sleep and awake states for multiple species, which correlates with a reduction in responsiveness to host cues. Sleep assessment informed by these posture analyses indicated significantly more sleep during periods of low activity. Nighttime and daytime sleep deprivation resulting from the delivery of vibration stimuli induced sleep rebound in the subsequent phase in day and night active mosquitoes, respectively. Lastly, sleep deprivation suppressed host landing in both laboratory and field settings when mosquitoes would normally be active. These results suggest that quantifiable sleep states occur in mosquitoes, and highlight the potential epidemiological importance of mosquito sleep.
Transition delay and relaminarization of turbulent flow

In recent years, the application of boundary layer control has been investigated for low drag or high lift. The first deals with laminar flow control and turbulence manipulation whereas the second deals with separation control. Recent experiments have demonstrated that laminar flow can be obtained by contouring the surface to maintain a favorable pressure gradient over the surface. In addition, improvement in lift and stall characteristics have been demonstrated for an airfoil by local excitation at the leading edge.
Invariant Signatures and Non-Interactive Zero-Knowledge Proofs are Equivalent

The standard definition of digital signatures allows a document to have many valid signatures. In this paper, we consider a subclass of digital signatures, called invariant signatures, in which all legal signatures of a document must be identical according to some polynomial-time computable function (of a signature) which is hard to predict given an unsigned document. We formalize this notion and show its equivalence to non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs.
Beyond group capacity in multi-terminal communications

A new structured coding scheme based on transversal group codes is proposed. We investigate the information theoretic performance limits for this strategy in multi-terminal communications. Achievability results are derived for lossless reconstruction of sum of two sources. In addition, a new rate region is presented for the problem of computation over multiple access channel. We show that the application of the new coding strategy, results in strict gains in terms of achievable rates in both settings.
Diabetes Care Provided to Children Displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Objective Although previous studies have examined the impact of Hurricane Katrina on adults with diabetes, less is known about the effects on children with diabetes and on those displaced by the storm. We analyzed individual-level enrollment and utilization data of children with diabetes who were displaced from Louisiana and were enrolled in the Texas Medicaid Hurricane Katrina emergency waiver (TexKat). Methods We compared the utilization and outcomes of children displaced from Louisiana with those of children who lived in areas less affected by Hurricane Katrina. Data from both before and after the storm were used to calculate difference-in-difference estimates of the effects of displacement on the children. We analyzed 4 diabetes management procedures (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1C] tests, eye exams, microalbumin tests, and thyroid tests) and a complication from poor diabetes management (diabetic ketoacidosis). Results Children enrolled in the waiver generally did not experience a decrease in care relative to the control group while the waiver program was in effect. After the waiver ended, however, we observed a drop in care and an increase in complications relative to the control group. Conclusions Although the waiver appeared to have been largely successful immediately following Katrina, future waivers may be improved by ensuring that enrollees continue to receive care after the waivers expire. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:480–483)
Radiation thermometry: The measurement problem

An overview of the theory and techniques of radiometric thermometry is presented. The characteristics of thermal radiators (targets) are discussed along with surface roughness and oxidation effects, fresnel reflection and subsurface effects in dielectrics. The effects of the optical medium between the radiating target and the radiation thermometer are characterized including atmospheric effects, ambient temperature and dust environment effects and the influence of measurement windows. The optical and photodetection components of radiation thermometers are described and techniques for the correction of emissivity effects are addressed.
Probabilistic principal component analysis with expectation maximization (PPCA-EM) facilitates volume classification and estimates the missing data

We have developed a new method for classifying 3D reconstructions with missing data obtained by electron microscopy techniques. The method is based on principal component analysis (PCA) combined with expectation maximization. The missing data, together with the principal components, are treated as hidden variables that are estimated by maximizing a likelihood function. PCA in 3D is similar to PCA for 2D image analysis. A lower dimensional subspace of significant features is selected, into which the data are projected, and if desired, subsequently classified. In addition, our new algorithm estimates the missing data for each individual volume within the lower dimensional subspace. Application to both a large model data set and cryo-electron microscopy experimental data demonstrates the good performance of the algorithm and illustrates its potential for studying macromolecular assemblies with continuous conformational variations.
Risk due to inactivity in physically capable older adults.

OBJECTIVES. This study examined the association between recreational physical activity among physically capable older adults and functional status, incidence of selected chronic conditions, and mortality over 3 and 6 years. METHODS. Data are from three sites of the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. RESULTS. A high level of recreational physical activity reduced the likelihood of mortality over both 3 and 6 years. Moderate to high activity reduced the risk of physical impairments over 3 years; this effect diminishes after 6 years. A consistent relationship between activity and new myocardial infarction or stroke or the incidence of diabetes or angina was not found after 3 or 6 years. CONCLUSIONS. Findings suggest that physical activity offers benefits to physically capable older adults, primarily in reducing the risk of functional decline and mortality. Future work must use more objective and quantifiable measures of activity and assess changes in activity levels over time.
Direct observation of a transient tyrosine radical competent for initiating turnover in a photochemical ribonucleotide reductase.

Photochemical ribonucleotide reductases (photoRNRs) are developed for the generation and transport of amino acid radicals by proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) in this enzyme. The β2 subunit has been replaced with the [Re]-3,5-F2Y-R2C19 peptide, which substitutes 3,5-F2Y for Y at “position 356” and contains the Re(bpy)(CO)3CN ([Re]) photochemical radical generator. Excitation of this peptide with 355 nm light produces the [Re]0-3,5-F2Y· charge-separated state within the nanosecond laser pulse, as characterized by transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. Excitation of the bound peptide:α2 complex results in 29% turnover after 10 min of photolysis, while the corresponding [Re]-Phe-R2C19:α2 system is inactive. The 3,5-F2Y· radical on the peptide bound to the Y731F-α2 variant has been observed by TA spectroscopy. These data allow us to observe, for the first time, a peptide-derived, protein-bound radical that is competent for initiating RNR turnover.
The Quantitative Genetic Architecture of the Bold-Shy Continuum in Zebrafish, Danio rerio

In studies of consistent individual differences (personality) along the bold-shy continuum, a pattern of behavioral correlations frequently emerges: individuals towards the bold end of the continuum are more likely to utilize risky habitat, approach potential predators, and feed under risky conditions. Here, we address the hypothesis that observed phenotypic correlations among component behaviors of the bold-shy continuum are a result of underlying genetic correlations (quantitative genetic architecture). We used a replicated three-generation pedigree of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to study three putative components of the bold-shy continuum: horizontal position, swim level, and feeding latency. We detected significant narrow-sense heritabilities as well as significant genetic and phenotypic correlations among all three behaviors, such that fish selected for swimming at the front of the tank swam closer to the observer, swam higher in the water column, and fed more quickly than fish selected for swimming at the back of the tank. Further, the lines varied in their initial open field behavior (swim level and activity level). The quantitative genetic architecture of the bold-shy continuum indicates that the multivariate behavioral phenotype characteristic of a “bold” personality type may be a result of correlated evolution via underlying genetic correlations.
A tree-based search to bias sampling of protein decoy conformations

A central challenge in ab-initio structure prediction is the attainment of a large diverse ensemble of decoy conformations at low resolution so that subsequent refinement of selected decoys at higher resolution can identify the native structure among them [1]. The focus on the size and diversity is due to the weak discriminatory power of potential energy. Even state-of-the-art coarse grained energy functions are often weakly funneled, i.e., incapable of energetically distinguishing structurally dissimilar conformations [2]. While obtaining low-energy decoys increases the chance that a percentage of them are near-native, lowest energies are not necessarily associated with the native structure. Instead, the most effective selection techniques use redundancy, often in the form of the most populous conformational clusters identified, to identify the native structure. While redundancy is useful in this context, it is also a reason for the computational inefficiency of many conformational search algorithms.
A model of dark energy and dark matter

Abstract A dynamical model for the dark energy is presented in which the “quintessence” field is the axion, a Z , of a spontaneously broken global U ( 1 ) A ( Z ) symmetry whose potential is induced by the instantons of a new gauge group SU ( 2 ) Z . The SU ( 2 ) Z coupling becomes large at a scale Λ Z ∼ 10 −3 eV starting from an initial value M at high energy which is of the order of the Standard Model (SM) couplings at the same scale M. A perspective on a possible unification of SU ( 2 ) Z with the SM will be briefly discussed. We present a scenario in which a Z is trapped in a false vacuum characterized by an energy density ∼ ( 10 −3 eV ) 4 . The lifetime of this false vacuum is estimated to be extremely large. Other estimates relevant to the “coincidence issue” include the ages of the universe when the a Z potential became effective, when the acceleration “began” and when the energy density of the false vacuum became comparable to that of (baryonic and non-baryonic) matter. Other cosmological consequences include a possible candidate for the weakly interacting (WIMP) Cold Dark Matter as well as a scenario for leptogenesis. A brief discussion on possible laboratory detections of some of the particles contained in the model will also be presented.
Disparity in disaster preparedness between racial/ethnic groups.

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the association between race/ethnicity (including language subgroups among Hispanics) and disaster preparedness among Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey respondents.Methods BRFSS data were obtained for eight states which implemented the optional general preparedness module from 2006 through 2010. Three dependent variables were analyzed including presence of four preparedness items (i.e., food, water, flashlight, and radio), emergency evacuation plan, and 3-d supply of medication. Primary independent variable included race/ethnicity accounting for language of survey. Data were analyzed in 2011 and accounted for BRFSS sampling design.Results Black (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.56, 0.79), English-speaking Hispanic (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.34, 0.69) and Spanish-speaking Hispanic respondents (OR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.29) were less likely than non-Hispanic white respondents to live in a household in which all members requiring medication had ...
Eggs, enzymes, and evolution: natural genetic variants change insect fecundity

Abstract Phosphoglucose isomerase genotypes in the butterfly Colias differ dramatically in biochemical properties. These differences were evaluated earlier, using metabolic network theory, to predict, successfully, their effects on glycolytic metabolism and hence on Colias flight capacity and several consequent fitness components in the wild. Female egg-laying, not previously studied, also depends on flight, so female fecundity is now predicted to differ among these genotypes. An experimental design incorporating the thermal ecology of Colias confirms these predictions in a cool habitat. Thus female fecundity differences among animal enzyme polymorphs have now been found. Quantitative reconstruction of the selection regime for phosphoglucose isomerase genotypes in Colias can now begin. The most heat-stable genotypes are the least fecund, suggesting that global warming, if it occurs, may have severe impacts, through population genetics, on demography of thermally sensitive creatures.
Ecto-5′-Nucleotidase Can use IMP to Provide the Total Purine Requirements of Mitogen-Stimulated Human T Cells and Human B Lymphoblasts

Ecto-5′-nucleotidase (ecto-5′-NT)* catalyzes the extracellular dephosphorylation of purine and pyrimidine ribo- and deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates to the corresponding ribo- and deoxyribonucleosides (1,2). This enzyme is located on the external plasma membrane of subpopulations of human lymphocytes (1). By histochemical stain, 10-25% of adult peripheral T cells and 40-70% of adult peripheral B cells express ecto-5′-NT activity (3-5). The contribution of this enzyme toward meeting the total purine requirements of either resting or dividing lymphocytes is unknown. Similarly, it is unknown whether the relative contributions of purine salvage vs. purine synthesis de novo toward meeting the purine requirements for replication and cellular metabolism are different in ecto-5′-NT+ and ecto-5′-NT- lymphocytes. The experiments described here were designed to determine whether the catalytic activity of ecto-5′-NT is sufficient to provide the total purine requirements of mitogen-stimulated peripheral T cells or rapidly-dividing B lymphoblastoid cells from exogenous purine nucleotides. Inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP) was chosen as the extracellular purine nucleotide since all other purine nucleotides can be synthesized from it.
Aromaticity of simple hydrocarbons evaluated through computing isodesmic energies, rings bond order uniformity, and HOMO–LUMO energy gaps

Abstract The AM1 computational study of open-chain conjugated and cyclic chemical systems was performed with the aim of evaluating their aromatic character through frontier molecular orbital (FMO) change during the course of the ring formation. The change of the FMO energy difference was also used to determine the relative stability of fused unsaturated cyclic compounds. The relative change of the FMO energy was applied to determine the reaction preference in the hydrogen transfer and cycloaddition reactions. The applicability of the FMO energy gap to determine relative stability of various chemical systems is discussed.
Modification of certain pharmacological effects of ethanol by lipophilic alpha-1 adrenergic agonists.

Abstract The influence of four centrally-acting alpha-1 adrenoceptor agonists, namely, 2(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenylimino) imidazolidine (St 587), cirazoline, (-) 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8- methoxy-5-methylthio-2-naphthalenamine ((-)SKF 89748A) and 2-(2-methylindazol-4-imino) imidazolidine (Sgd 101/75) on the pharmacological effects of ethanol was investigated. All four drugs reduced the duration of ethanol-induced hypnosis in C57B1/6 mice, this effect being proportional to their relative potencies to exert central alpha-1 agonism. In prazosin-pretreated mice, St 587 failed to reduce the hypnotic effect of ethanol, which provided strong evidence for the role of alpha-1 agonism for the hypnosis reducing effect of St 587. Hyperactivity induced in C57B1/6 mice by a subhypnotic dose of ethanol and St 587 was reported earlier. In the present study, St 587, cirazoline and (-) SKF 89748A produced similar response, but no correlation between this effect and ethanol hypnosis blockade could be established. Interestingly, this hyperactivity response was not exhibited by Swiss-Webster, BALB/c or DBA-2 mice - strains in which St 587 exerted little or no antagonism to ethanol-induced hypnosis. Of the alpha-1 agonists, only St 587 reduced the ethanol-induced hypothermia in C57B1/6 mice. St 587 also blocked this effect of ethanol in BALB/c mice in which this drug failed to reduce the ethanol-induced hypnosis. It was concluded that ethanol-induced hypothermia and hypnosis are not interrelated. None of the alpha-1 agonists modified the pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis or the rate of elimination of ethanol in C57B1/6 mice. In this strain, the reduction of the duration of ethanol-induced hypnosis by the alpha-1 agonists is a selective and centrally-mediated response.
Suppression of Listeria monocytogenes by the Native Micro-Flora in Teewurst Sausage.

Modern consumers are interested in the use of non-chemical methods to control pathogens when heat sterilization is not an option. Such is the case with teewurst sausage, a raw spreadable sausage and a popular German commodity. Although Listeria was not found in teewurst, the optimal microbial growing conditions of teewurst coupled with the ubiquity of L. monocytogenes in nature, makes the possibility of contamination of products very possible. This pilot study was conducted to examine teewurst’s native micro-flora’s ability to suppress the outgrowth of L. monocytogenes at 10 °C using standard plate counts and PCR-DGGE. Traditional plating methods showed L. monocytogenes growth significantly decreased when in competition with the teewurst’s native micro-flora (p < 0.05). The native micro-flora of the teewurst suppressed the overall growth of L. monocytogenes by an average of two logs, under these conditions. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) amplicons with unique banding patterns were extracted from DGGE gel for identification. Brochothrix thermosphacta and Lactobacillus curvatus were identified as a part of the teewurst’s native micro-flora. Although the native micro-flora did not decrease L. monocytogenes to below limits of detection, it was enough of a decrease to warrant further investigation.
Uranus and Neptune: Shape and rotation

Abstract Both Uranus and Neptune are thought to have strong zonal winds with velocities of several 100 m s−1. These wind velocities, however, assume solid-body rotation periods based on Voyager 2 measurements of periodic variations in the planets’ radio signals and of fits to the planets’ magnetic fields; 17.24 h and 16.11 h for Uranus and Neptune, respectively. The realization that the radio period of Saturn does not represent the planet’s deep interior rotation and the complexity of the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune raise the possibility that the Voyager 2 radio and magnetic periods might not represent the deep interior rotation periods of the ice giants. Moreover, if there is deep differential rotation within Uranus and Neptune no single solid-body rotation period could characterize the bulk rotation of the planets. We use wind and shape data to investigate the rotation of Uranus and Neptune. The shapes (flattening) of the ice giants are not measured, but only inferred from atmospheric wind speeds and radio occultation measurements at a single latitude. The inferred oblateness values of Uranus and Neptune do not correspond to bodies rotating with the Voyager rotation periods. Minimization of wind velocities or dynamic heights of the 1 bar isosurfaces, constrained by the single occultation radii and gravitational coefficients of the planets, leads to solid-body rotation periods of ∼16.58 h for Uranus and ∼17.46 h for Neptune. Uranus might be rotating faster and Neptune slower than Voyager rotation speeds. We derive shapes for the planets based on these rotation rates. Wind velocities with respect to these rotation periods are essentially identical on Uranus and Neptune and wind speeds are slower than previously thought. Alternatively, if we interpret wind measurements in terms of differential rotation on cylinders there are essentially no residual atmospheric winds.
Defective neutrophil chemotaxis in bone marrow transplant patients.

Abstract Infection is a frequent cause of death in patients receiving bone marrow transplants. Although lymphocyte dysfunction has been observed in a few such patients, no systematic study of neutrophil function has yet been reported. Neutrophil chemotaxis was evaluated by a 51Cr-radioassay after bone marrow transplantation in 34 patients with acute leukemia or aplastic anemia. The response to a chemotactic stimulus (C5a) was severely depressed (less than 35% of normal) in 18 patients, moderately depressed (35-65% of normal) in an additional 6, and normal in 10 subjects. The mean response in the absence of graft vs. host disease and antithymocyte globulin administration was 73.3+/-9.2% (SE) in contrast to 29.7+/-9.6% (P is less than 0.01) in patients with graft vs. host disease treated with antithymocyte golbulin. Both graft vs. host disease and antithymocyte globulin were implicated since the presence of either factor alone was associated with depressed chemotaxis (31.1+/-4.9% for graft vs. host disease, P is less than 0.01; 17.0+/-7.8% for antithymocyte globulin, P is less than 0.02). When normal neutrophils were incubated with antithymocyte globulin in vitro, their chemotactic response was markedly suppressed in the absence of a cytotoxic effect. Transplant patients with defective chemotaxis experienced significantly more infections than those with normal chemotaxis, and analysis of specific etiologic agents showed that this was predominantly related to bacterial pathogens. Chemotactic inhibitors were detected in the sera of seven patients and elevated IgE levels were found in nine subjects, eight of whom had graft vs. host disease. Generation of chemotactic activity by endotoxin activation of serum was reduced in five patients. The results demonstrate a severe defect in neutrophil chemotaxis in some bone marrow transplant patients and suggest that neutrophil dysfunction may predispose to infection in such patients.
Artifacts from implanted leads in cardiac PET using CT-based attenuation correction

Abstract Conclusion: The LV EF and volumes are comparable in patients with and without type II DM in the absence of ischemia or infarction. The LV volumes and EF are lower in women than men in the presence or absence of DM. It is possible that ischemia/infarction affect more adversely the LV function in DM accounting for the worse LV function [and worse outcome] in patients with established CAD. Background: The use of CT-based attenuation correction (CT-AC) in cardiac PET can potentially cause artifacts, not just due to respiratory phase mismatch, but also due to implanted metallic leads. The significance of such metallic lead artifacts requires investigation. Methods: PET images of phantoms containing pacemaker leads and ICD leads in uniform FDG solution were acquired and analyzed. The leads were mounted in 90-degree bent configurations, allowing the magnitude of the artifact to be assessed when the lead is normal to or parallel to the transaxial planes. FDG cardiac PET studies of patients having implanted pacemaker (n=4) or ICD leads (n=4) were also analyzed. In all cases, images were acquired on both dedicated PET and PET-CT scanners, to compare differences of transmission sources vs. reduced-dose 120kVp “slow” CT for attenuation correction. Results: The magnitude of artifact depends on several factors: composition, design, and location. Unlike internal conductor wires (of low atomic number metal), external platinum alloy electrodes are much more likely to cause artifacts. Pacemaker leads, which have relatively small electrodes, caused noticeable artifacts in CT images but not in the resultant CT-AC PET or the dedicated PET images. ICD leads, which have much larger electrodes (shock coils), did cause significant regional artifacts in CT-AC PET images, but not in dedicated PET images. The apparent increase in FDG concentration from ICD metal artifact was on the order of 80% for phantom images (with the lead oriented in-plane) and 30% in patient myocardial images. Clinically significant artifacts were observed when the ICD lead was implanted adjacent to the left ventricle, but not when adjacent to the right ventricle. Conclusions: ICD leads can produce clinically significant artifacts in CT-AC cardiac PET, depending on their position and orientation, whereas pacemaker leads do not. Automated methods to correct for metal artifact would be beneficial, since the prevalence of implanted ICDs in patients undergoing cardiac PET is likely to rise. These results also may have implications for CT-AC cardiac SPECT imaging.
Comparison of cortisol metabolism by two variants of cultured fibroblasts

Abstract Fibroblasts, strain U12-79, convert 4-pregnene-11β,17α,21-triol-3,20-dione (cortisol) to 4-pregnene-11β,17α, 20β, 21-tetrol-3-one, 4-pregnene-17α,21-diol-3,11–20-trione, 4-pregnene-11β,21-diol-3,20-dione, 4-androstene-11β-ol-3,17-dione, and an unidentified steroid. Tbc same pattern of cortisol metabolism was observed in a variant strain of U12-79, designated U12-35, which is 250 times as resistant to the growth inhibitory action of cortisol as the parent U12-79 line. Cortisol, however, is metabolized at least twice as fast by the steroid-resistant cells. These data are discussed with regard to mechanism of resistance and are compared with the results obtained in other studies of steroid-resistant cells.
Inhibition of adrenal protein synthesis by steroids in vitro.

The effect of certain steroids upon rat adrenal protein synthesis in vitro was evaluated by measuring the incorporation of 14C-leucine into protein. The addition of 5.6 × 1O−4m corticosterone to the incubation media inhibited protein synthesis by 93%. A dose related inhibition has been shown. Progesterone and ACTH, both of which enhance corticosterone formation, inhibited protein synthesis by 64 and 19%, respectively; cortisol inhibited it by 44%. Cholesterol and aldosterone had no effect. In order to study the effect of inhibition of protein synthesis on corticosterone production, studies with testosterone, a nonprecursor for corticosterone, were carried out. Testosterone 6.9 × 1O−4m markedly inhibited protein synthesis in the adrenal (93%), and the inhibition was as great as that reported with 1 × 10−3m puromycin. Like puromycin, testosterone blocked the stimulation of corticosterone by ACTH. This in vitro effect of testosterone is consistent with the reports of its inhibition of the steroidogenic effec...
Family Composition and Expressions of Family-Focused Care Needs at an Academic Memory Disorders Clinic

Objective. To understand who dementia patients identify as their family and how dementia affects family life. Background. Dementia care is often delivered in family settings, so understanding the constituency and needs of the family unit involved in care is important for determining contributors to family quality of life. Design/Methods. Seventy-seven families receiving care at an academic dementia clinic completed questionnaires regarding the affected person and the family. Responses were categorized as focused on an individual's needs or the family's needs. Results. Respondents identified a mean of 3.77 family members involved in care. Spouse (80.5%), daughter (58.4%), son (46.8%), and stepchild or child-in-law (37.7%) were the most frequently listed family members. Questions regarding the effect of dementia-related changes in cognition and mood were most likely to elicit a family-focused response. Questionnaire items that inquired about specific medical questions and strategies to improve family function were least likely to elicit a family-focused response. Conclusions. Both caregivers and persons with dementia frequently provided family-focused responses, supporting the construct of dementia as an illness that affects life in the family unit. This finding reinforces the potential utility of family-centered quality of life measures in assessing treatment success for people with dementia.
Nitric oxide deficiency as a cause of clinical hypertension: promising new drug targets for refractory hypertension.

THE NITRIC OXIDE PATHWAY CONtributes to the blood pressure– lowering effects of many commonly used therapeutic agents and emerging basic research on this pathway is elucidating potential new antihypertensive drug targets. Understanding the regulation of the nitric oxide pathway also provides a conceptual framework for understanding the potential role played by nitric oxide in a number of disorders, including congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, nitrate tolerance, muscular dystrophy, circulatory shock, and male sexual dysfunction.
Implementation of a comprehensive intervention to reduce physical assaults and threats in the emergency department.

Introduction The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a comprehensive program to reduce the incidence of workplace violence (WPV) against ED providers by patients and visitors. Methods An intervention study was conducted with 3 intervention and 3 comparison emergency departments. Participants completed monthly surveys during an 18-month period to measure violent event rates before and after the WPV intervention implementation. Descriptive statistics were used to describe violent events. Analysis of variance was used to assess if the emergency departments participating in the WPV intervention experienced a significant reduction in violence rates compared with nonintervention emergency departments. Results On average, participants experienced more than 6 incidents of violence during the 18-month study period. Although the study hypothesis was not supported, 2 intervention sites had a significant decrease in violence. Discussion This study emphasizes the risk of WPV to ED workers and highlights the need for prevention programs. Future research needs to be conducted to test additional comprehensive WPV prevention interventions.
cGAS-mediated stabilization of IFI16 promotes innate signaling during herpes simplex virus infection

Interferon γ-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) and cGMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) have both been proposed to detect herpesviral DNA directly in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells and initiate interferon regulatory factor-3 signaling, but it has been unclear how two DNA sensors could both be required for this response. We therefore investigated their relative roles in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) infected with HSV or transfected with plasmid DNA. siRNA depletion studies showed that both are required for the production of IFN in infected HFFs. We found that cGAS shows low production of cGMP-AMP in infected cells, but instead cGAS is partially nuclear in normal human fibroblasts and keratinocytes, interacts with IFI16 in fibroblasts, and promotes the stability of IFI16. IFI16 is associated with viral DNA and targets to viral genome complexes, consistent with it interacting directly with viral DNA. Our results demonstrate that IFI16 and cGAS cooperate in a novel way to sense nuclear herpesviral DNA and initiate innate signaling.
Papova virus group.

The papilloma, polyoma, and vacuolating agents seem to form a natural group of tumor viruses, for which the name papova virus group is proposed. Members of the group have the following properties: 45 mmicro diameter, deoxyribonucleic acid core, 42 capsomeres, absence of essential lipids, thermal resistance, slow growth cycle with multiplication within the cell nucleus, and tumorigenicity.