cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contaminated Childhood: How the United States Failed to Prevent the Chronic Lead Poisoning of Low-Income Children and Communities of Color

Lead poisoning has plagued society for centuries, dating back to the Roman Empire. Children and adults exposed to the neurotoxin regularly experience an elevated risk for permanent brain damage, disability, and, at higher levels, death. Despite scientific evidence of the dangers of lead, the heavy metal was commonly used throughout civilization and quickly integrated into the American home in the form of paint containing up to 70% lead. At the same time, lead smelters and leaded gasoline left a toxic footprint across the United States. Today, over twenty-three million homes contain one or more lead hazards and thirty-eight million have lead-based paint that will eventually become a lead hazard if not closely monitored and maintained; the majority of those homes are located in impoverished and marginalized communities of color. Federal laws and policies have consistently failed to prevent lead poisoning in these areas, depriving low-income, minority children of equal opportunity and trapping generations in poverty. For example, federally subsidized housing programs are intended to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for low-income families. These homes are often clustered in areas with high rates of lead poisoning and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated in 2016 that 450,000 federally assisted housing units were built before 1978 and likely contain lead-based paint. Federal lead poisoning prevention laws take a “wait and see” approach that delays lead hazard inspections of a home until after a child is lead poisoned and does not require any inspection in private housing. Rather than requiring lead hazard risk assessments that could identify and control sources of lead poisoning before a child resides in the home, according to federal regulations, the child must develop lead poisoning at levels more than four times the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards before the government requires any intervention. This policy places millions of children annually at risk of permanent neurological damage. This Article describes how lead poisoning policies governing private and federally assisted housing perpetuate health inequities, increase socioeconomic and racial inequality among low-income and minority children, and thwart the promise of multiple civil rights laws and policies. It examines the legislative history of federal lead poisoning prevention laws, including compromises that resulted in ineffective laws, as well as the civil rights laws violated by the lack of primary prevention. Finally, with the aim of identifying policies that abide by principles of health justice, this Article proposes urgent reform measures to end the lead poisoning epidemic.
Direct Generation of Structured Light in Metallic Nanolaser Arrays

The interplay between array geometry and the whispering galley-like modes of individual nanolasers can lead to the direct generation of structured light in nanoscale. Such nanolaser lattices emitting OAM beams are experimentally demonstrated.
Time‐integrated habitat availability is a resource attribute that informs patterns of use in intertidal areas

In dynamic environments, resource availability may change by several orders of magnitude, over hours to months, but the duration of resource availability is not often included as a characteristic attribute of resources even though temporal resource dynamics might limit patterns of use. In our study of wading birds foraging in intertidal areas, tides cause large changes in the areal extent of shallow‐water foraging habitat (i.e., the resource), but tides also constrain the duration of availability, which is often overlooked. We hypothesized that temporal constraints on habitat availability from tides would be reflected in patterns of habitat use by foraging birds. We estimated the time‐integrated habitat availability and compared it to traditional habitat attributes (seagrass cover, substrate type, instantaneous water depth, and proximity to mangrove islands or deep water) that have strong evidential support for influencing patterns of use. To evaluate our hypotheses, we quantified habitat attributes at intertidal areas in the Florida Keys, USA, where wading birds were observed foraging (Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea: N = 183; Great White Heron, Ardea herodias occidentalis: N = 162). We tested for nonrandom use by sampling habitat attributes at two spatial scales around the observed feeding locations and we analyzed the data using a conditional logistic regression model. There was no evidence that seagrass cover or substrate explained patterns of use. The proximity of foraging locations relative to mangroves and to deep water were important at both spatial scales but had lower effect sizes (odds ratios) than time‐integrated habitat availability and water depth, and the latter may only serve as a physical constraint on access. We found support that time‐integrated habitat availability was a distinct resource attribute, had the greatest effect size (four‐ to eightfold change in relative probability of use), and best explained patterns of habitat use at the largest spatial scale. In studies of resource use where changes in resource availability are nonlinear or when strong constraints on access are imposed by behavior, incorporating time‐integrated estimates of resource availability into analyses can improve insights into spatiotemporal patterns of resource use.
Saponins and microbial biosurfactants: Potential raw materials for the formulation of cosmetics

The cosmetic industry is currently one of the fasting growing sections of the economy in many countries. The recent tendency toward the use of cosmetics of a natural origin has driven the industry to seek alternatives to synthetic components in the formulation of products. Biosurfactants are natural compounds that have considerable potential for application in the formulation of safe, effective cosmetics as a replacement for commonly used chemical tensioactive agents. The present review provides essential information on the physicochemical and biological properties of saponins and microbial biosurfactants employed in cosmetic products, with a focus on the use of these natural compounds in shampoos, addressing the current state of research and patents involving biosurfactants for this purpose. The challenges and prospects of this cosmetic application are also discussed. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:1482-1493, 2018.
Opioid consumption after knee arthroscopy

Background:The opioid epidemic in the United States has placed increased pressure on physicians to engage in responsible opioid prescribing practices. However, surgeons currently have little information to guide their postoperative prescription decision-making. The purpose of this study was to asses
Utilizing Analogical Reasoning to Aid Children’s Proportional Reasoning Understanding

Proportional reasoning is an important skill that relates to fraction learning and math achievement. Because both proportional and analogical reasoning involve comparing relations, we hypothesized that supports for analogical reasoning (multiple exemplars and labels) would help children match discrete proportions. Fourth and 5th graders (N = 119) completed a 16-item proportional equivalence choice task in a 2 (exemplars: one, two) x 3 (script type: juice mixing narrative, novel adjectives, no labels) x 2 (trial type: part-foil, whole-foil) mixed-effects design. The juice mixing script included common labels and a story paradigm, whereas the novel adjectives script only utilized common labels. The least-informative no-labels script served as a baseline. Results showed a significant three-way interaction between exemplars, script type, and trial type. Viewing two exemplars led to no significant differences across the other factors. However, when viewing one exemplar, children exhibited a part-matching bias with novel adjectives and no labels, but not the juice narrative. In sum, multiple exemplars and the juice narrative reduced children’s part-matching bias; we conclude that supports for analogical reasoning can aid proportional reasoning as well.
Mesh-IoT Based System For Large-Scale Environment

This paper presents an Internet-of-Things (IoT) architecture by integrating a Synology cloud server, edge computing systems, and physical networks. More specifically, we have established a physical network combining two subsystems 1) non-standardized Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Mesh network, and 2) a security monitoring system. The BLE Mesh system has one IoT host connected with three BLE devices, enabling to extend the communication distance by using one or two relays. The monitoring system consists of a Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR) and a webcam with multiple solutions for recognizing a human face. Two algorithms, Low Binary Pattern Histogram (LBPH) and Deep Metric Learning (DML), have been implemented and evaluated on different benchmarks. Experimental results show that the DML-based computation can reach 99.38% accuracy with almost 400 ms latency for recognizing a single face in frames of images. The future work will focus on testing the cloud service by integrating a Synology D218+ server, as well as improving the computation speed of facial recognition on pure hardware design on field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The aim of our work is to provide a robust IoT-Edge-Cloud system which can be deployed on the large-scale applications and processes data much faster compared to traditional cloud computing system due to the perks of parallel computing on FPGAs at the network edge.
The Use of Economic Impact Studies as a Service Learning Tool in Undergraduate Business Programs.

This paper examines the use of community based economic impact studies as service learning tools for undergraduate business programs. Economic impact studies are used to measure the economic benefits of a variety of activities such as community redevelopment, tourism, and expansions of existing facilities for both private and public producers. Economic impact studies when structured as service learning projects provide an experiential learning environment for business students, affording them with the opportunity of applying the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom while at the same time engaging in community service. Such projects can expose students to the importance of corporate social responsibility and help involved faculty to remain current in their fields of expertise while providing pedagogical and practice oriented avenues for research. Clients gain access to expertise in a cost effective manner. When done effectively, service learning projects in undergraduate business programs generate goodwill and favorable publicity while helping academic institutions meet mission statements and address specific accreditation standards.
Physical activity, patient-reported symptoms, and clinical events: Insights into postprocedural recovery from personal digital devices

Background Personal digital devices may offer insights into patient recovery and an approach for remote monitoring after procedures. Objective To examine associations between activity measured using personal digital devices, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and clinical events among patients after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) or bariatric surgery. Methods We aggregated personal digital device, PROM, and electronic health record data in a study conducted at 2 health systems. We used Fitbit devices for step count assessments, KardiaMobile for cardiac rhythm assessments, and PROMs for pain and palpitations over 5 weeks. Results Among 59 patients, 30 underwent AF ablation and 29 bariatric surgery. Thirty-six patients (63%) reported pain. There was no difference in median [interquartile range] daily steps between patients with and those without pain (4419 [3286–7041] vs 3498 [2609–5888]; P = .23). Among AF ablation patients, 21 (70%) reported palpitations. Median daily steps were lower among those with palpitations than among those without (4668 [3021–6116] vs 8040 [6853–10,394]; P = .03). When accounting for within-subject correlation, recordings of AF were associated with a significant mean decrease in median daily steps (–351; 95% confidence interval –524 to –177; P Conclusion Personal digital device and PROM data can provide insight into postprocedural recovery outside of usual clinical settings and may inform follow-up and clinical decision-making. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03436082)
Diagnostic Methods and Risk Factors for Severe Disease and Mortality in Blastomycosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Blastomycosis can cause severe disease with progressive respiratory failure and dissemination even in immunocompetent individuals. We sought to evaluate risk factors for severe disease and mortality using clinical and laboratory data within a large health system in an endemic area. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with blastomycosis at all Mayo Clinic sites from 1 January 2004 through 31 March 2020. Diagnosis was established by culture, histopathology/cytopathology, serology, antigen testing, or PCR. Disease was categorized as mild for patients treated in the outpatient setting, moderate for hospitalized patients who did not require intensive care, and severe for patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors for severe disease. A Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to evaluate mortality. Findings: We identified 210 patients diagnosed with blastomycosis. Mean age was 51 years (range, 6–84). Most subjects were male (71.0%). Extrapulmonary disease was confirmed in 24.8%. In this cohort, 40.5% of patients had mild disease, 37.6% had moderate disease, and 21.9% had severe disease. Independent risk factors for severe disease were neutrophilia (odds ratio (OR) 3.35 (95% CI 1.53–7.35), p = 0.002) and lymphopenia (OR 3.34 (95% CI 1.59–7.03), p = 0.001). Mortality at 90 days was 11.9%. Median time from diagnosis to death was 23 days (interquartile range 8–31 days). Independent risk factors for mortality were age (OR 1.04 (95% CI 1.01–1.08), p = 0.009), neutrophilia (OR 2.84 (95% CI 1.04–7.76), p = 0.041), and lymphopenia (OR 4.50 (95% CI 1.67–12.11), p = 0.003). Blastomyces immunodiffusion had an overall sensitivity of 39.6% (95% CI 30.1–49.8). Sensitivity was higher among those who were tested 4 weeks or longer after the onset of symptoms. Urine Blastomyces antigen had a significantly higher sensitivity of 80.8% (95% CI 68.1–89.2) compared to serology. There was a trend towards higher antigen concentration in patients with severe disease. The sensitivity of PCR from respiratory specimens was 67.6% (95% CI 50.1–85.5). Conclusion: In this cohort, we did not find an association between pharmacologic immunosuppression and disease severity. Lymphopenia at diagnosis was an independent risk factor for mortality. This simple marker may aid clinicians in determining disease prognosis.
Fundamentals of Engineering Electromagnetics

FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING ELECTROMAGNETICS REVISITED N. Narayana Rao Field Concepts and Constitutive Relations Maxwell's Equations, Boundary Conditions, Potentials, and Power and Energy Static Fields, Quasistatic Fields, and Waves References APPLIED ELECTROSTATICS Mark N. Horenstein Introduction The Electroquasistatic Regime Discrete and Distributed Capacitance Dielectric Permittivity The Origins of Electrostatic Charge When is "Static" Charge Truly Static? Induction Charging Dielectric Breakdown Corona Discharge Charges and Force Particle Charging in Air Charged Particle Motion Electrostatic Coating Electrostatic Paint Spraying Electrophotography Electrostatic Precipitation Field and Charge Measurement Electrostatic Field Mill Noncontacting Voltmeter Micromachines Digital Mirror Device Electrostatic Discharge and Charge Neutralization Summary References MAGNETOSTATICS Milica Popovic, Branko D. Popovic, and Zoya Popovic Introduction Theoretical Background and Fundamental Equations Applications of Magnetostatics References and Further Reading ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION Milica Popovic, Branko D. Popovic, and Zoya Popovic Introduction Theoretical Background and Fundamental Equations Consequences of Electromagnetic Induction Applications of Electromagnetic Induction and Faraday's Law Evaluation of Mutual and Self-Inductance Energy and Forces in the Magnetic Field: Implications and Applications Some Interesting Examples of Electromagnetic Induction References WAVE PROPAGATION Mohammad Kolbehdari and Matthew N.O. Sadiku Wave Equations and Characteristics Free-Space Propagation Model Path Loss Model Empirical Path Loss Formula References TRANSMISSION LINES Andreas Weisshaar Introduction Basic Transmission-Line Characteristics Transient Response of Lossless Transmission Lines Sinusoidal Steady-State Response of Transmission Lines Further Topics of Technological Importance and Future Directions References WAVEGUIDES AND RESONATORS Kenneth R. Demarest Introduction Mode Classifications Modal Fields and Cutoff Frequencies Properties of Metal Waveguides Rectangular Waveguides Circular Waveguides Coaxial-to-Waveguide Transitions Comparative Survey of Metal Waveguides Cavity Resonators References ANTENNAS: FUNDAMENTALS David Thiel Introduction to Radiation Antenna Terminology Simple Antenna Structures Antenna Arrays and Pattern Synthesis Smart Antennas Antenna Measurements References ANTENNAS: REPRESENTATIVE TYPES David R. Jackson, Jeffrey T. Williams, and Donald R. Wilton Microstrip Antennas Broadband Antennas Traveling and Leaky-Wave Antennas Aperture Antennas Phased Arrays References ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY Christos Christopoulos Significance of EMC to Modern Engineering Practice Useful Concepts and Techniques from Electromagnetics, Signals, and Circuits Important Coupling Mechanisms in EMC Practical Techniques for the Control of Interference EMC Standards and Techniques Outstanding Problems and Future Trends References APPENDIX A: SOME USEFUL CONSTANTS APPENDIX B: SOME UNITS AND CONVERSIONS APPENDIX C: REVIEW OF VECTOR ANALYSIS AND COORDINATE SYSTEMS INDEX
Operation, external irradiation, radioactive isotopes, and chemotherapy in treatment of metastatic ovarian malignancies.

Abstract Of 169 patients with malignant ovarian tumors, 6 died of postoperative complications, 14 had disease limited to one ovary and were treated by operation only, 10 had disease extending outside the peritoneal cavity and received palliative therapy. The remaining were divided into two groups according to the extension of the disease: 70 patients had malignant growth extending to the pelvis only and 69 had cancer extending to the upper abdomen. Three modes of therapy were used in subsequent periods: (1) operation and external irradiation; (2) operation and irradiation plus radioactive colloidal gold; (3) operation, irradiation, and chemotherapy. Complications of treatment and survival were analyzed in relation to extension and histologic type of the tumor and type of therapy used.
Cannabinoid CB1 receptors transactivate multiple receptor tyrosine kinases and regulate serine/threonine kinases to activate ERK in neuronal cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Signalling networks that regulate the progression of cannabinoid CB1 receptor-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in neurons are poorly understood. We investigated the cellular mechanisms involved in CB1 receptor-stimulated ERK phosphorylation in a neuronal cell model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Murine N18TG2 neuronal cells were used to analyse the effect of specific protein kinase and phosphatase inhibitors on CB1 receptor-stimulated ERK phosphorylation. The LI-COR In Cell Western assay and immunoblotting were used to measure ERK phosphorylation. KEY RESULTS The time-course of CB1 receptor-stimulated ERK activation occurs in three phases that are regulated by distinct cellular mechanisms in N18TG2 cells. Phase I (0–5 min) maximal ERK phosphorylation is mediated by CB1 receptor-stimulated ligand-independent transactivation of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Phase I requires Gi/oβγ subunit-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation and Src kinase activation and is modulated by inhibition of cAMP-activated protein kinase A (PKA) levels. Src kinase activation is regulated by the protein tyrosine phosphatases 1B and Shp1. The Phase II (5–10 min) rapid decline in ERK phosphorylation involves PKA inhibition and serine/threonine phosphatase PP1/PP2A activation. The Phase III (>10 min) plateau in ERK phosphorylation is mediated by CB1 receptor-stimulated, ligand-independent, transactivation of multiple RTKs. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The complex expression of CB1 receptor-stimulated ERK activation provides cellular selectivity, modulation of sensitivity to agonists, and coincidence detection with RTK signalling. RTK and PKA pathways may provide routes to novel CB1-based therapeutic interventions in the treatment of addictive disorders or neurodegenerative diseases. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids in Biology and Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.165.issue-8. To view Part I of Cannabinoids in Biology and Medicine visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2011.163.issue-7
Identification of the J and K genes in the bacteriophage Mu genome sequence.

Bacteriophage Mu was the first transposable phage to be discovered and still serves as the model for a large family of related transposable phages and prophages. The Mu genome sequence is known (NC-000929.1 GI:9633494), but not all of the genes have been assigned to the ORFs in the genome sequence. For this paper, we have sequenced an approximately 3-kb DNA region containing four predicted ORFs, Mup35–Mup38, from lysogens containing amber mutant prophages defective in either the J or the K gene. Amber mutations in prophages with J gene mutations mapped to the Mup36 ORF, and those in the K gene were found in Mup37, identifying the ORFs corresponding to these genes.
Differences in free and protein-bound tyrosine among potato genotypes and the relationship to internal blackspot resistance

Twelve potato clones were selected to represent the full range of internal blackspot response in order to determine the relationships between tuber protein, free tyrosine, and blackspot susceptibility. The blackspot reaction for each clone was consistent over five growing seasons, including tubers grown over a normal season (mature), and short season (immature) during one year. The blackspot index, determined by either an abrasive peel test or an impact bruise test, was highly correlated with the tyrosine content of the tubers (r = 0.90 p = 0.001 for the means of each clone over five location-years). Tubers with free tyrosine levels below 4 μmole/g dry weight consistently showed a resistant blackspot response. The relationship between tyrosine and blackspot susceptibility was also found in stolon and bud ends from five of the clones which represented the extremes of blackspot reaction and genetic diversity. Bud end samples of each of the clones had lower tyrosine content and a corresponding reduction in blackspot compared with stolon ends. Phenols, other than tyrosine, showed no consistent relationship to the blackspot reaction. There was a very high negative correlation between free tyrosine and estimated protein-bound tyrosine. R values ranged from −0.85 to −0.97 (p = 0.001) for mature tubers of the 12 clones over 4 growing seasons. Total tyrosine (free, plus protein-bound) remained relatively constant. There were no significant differences in mean total tyrosine content among the 12 clones over five location-years of testing; and there were no significant differences among the five growing seasons except for the short season (immature) tubers which were 14% lower in total tyrosine content. These results indicate a remarkably constant level of total tyrosine production in the twelve clones studied, that represented diverse genetic backgrounds. Mature tubers of all genotypes contained 26 ± 1 μmole/g dry weight total tyrosine. Partitioning of tyrosine between tuber protein and the free amino acid pool varied with genotype and appeared to be a major determinate of blackspot resistance.
Magnetically scanned ion beams for radiation therapy

Abstract The advantageous physical characteristics of slowing-down and stopping charged particle ion beams have been demonstrated to be highly desirable for application to radiation therapy. Specifically, the prospect of concentrating the dose delivered into a sharply-defined treatment volume while keeping to a minimum the total dose to tissues outside this volume is most appealing, offering very significant improvements over what is possible with established radiation therapy techniques. The key to achieving this physical dose distribution in an actual treatment setting is the technique used for delivering the beam into the patient. Magnetically scanned beams are emerging as the technique of choice, but daunting problems remain still in achieving the utmost theoretically possible dose distributions.
A revision of the Fabriciin genus Augeneriella Banse, 1957 (Polychaeta: Sabellidae)

The Sabellidae polychaete genus Augeneriella Banse is revised based on a reexamination of the type material of most species. Augeneriella hummelincki hummelincki Banse is shown to have vascularized, ventral filamentous appendages which can display up to four branches in a pectinate arrangement, as opposed to only a single dichotomy as originally described. The status of A. hummelincki indica Banse is discussed. The species A. bansei Hartmann-Schroder is based on a single, probably aberrant, specimen in which ventral filamentous appendages are unbranched. Additional material will likely show that this species displays the typical branched condition for ventral filaments. Augeneriella dubia Hartmann-Schroder can be ascribed to an undescribed genus which has been found in Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Two new species of Augeneriella from the Aldabra Atoll, Indian Ocean, are described.
C/EBP-related Sites in Addition to a Stat Site Are Necessary for Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor-Leukemia Inhibitory Factor-dependent Transcriptional Activation by the Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Cytokine Response Element

The neuropoietic cytokines ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) regulate VIP gene expression through a cytokine response element (CyRE) which interacts with members of the STAT transcription factor family. The CyRE STAT site is, however, insufficient to mediate full transcriptional activation by CNTF/LIF, suggesting that other sequences and nuclear proteins are also important. As C/EBP proteins participate in the transcriptional effects of the related cytokine, interleukin-6, we investigated the role of possible C/EBP-binding sites in the response of the VIP CyRE to CNTF/LIF. Using DNase I footprinting, transactivation studies, DNA mobility shift assays, and mutational analysis, three sites within the VIP CyRE were identified as C/EBP-related binding sites and shown to be important to CNTF/LIF-mediated transcriptional activation. The CyRE C/EBP-related sites interact with nuclear proteins from the human neuroblastoma cell line, NBFL, including a novel, protein synthesis-dependent, nuclear protein complex, induced by CNTF treatment. These nuclear proteins are not, however, recognized by antisera to known C/EBP proteins. Therefore, other nuclear proteins regulated by independent pathways act in concert with the JAK-STAT pathway to mediate CNTF/LIF regulation of VIP gene expression through the CyRE.
Haitian street foods and their nutritional contribution to dietary intake

A three month study was conducted in Port‐au‐Prince, Haiti, during the fall of 1983 in order to establish a base of knowledge regarding street foods. One hundred and forty six street food items were identified, described, and classified. A food frequency questionnaire was developed and administered to 174 secondary school students from varied socioeconomic levels to assess their street food consumption. The average consumption of calories and protein were found to be 401 kcalories and 5.8 g of protein. Significant differences in consumption values were found between socioeconomic levels. Street food consumption was found to contribute 18% of the recommended dietary allowance for the Caribbean for energy and 15% for protein. Based on a daily nutrient intake of 7.5 MJ (1580 kcalories) and 37 g of protein for urban school students, 25% of the calories and 16% of the protein in the overall diet were found to be provided by street foods.
System to measure relative rate constants of semivolatile organic compounds with hydroxyl radicals

A system to determine rate constants for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with semivolatile organic compounds under tropospheric conditions is described. The system incorporates on-line mass spectrometric detection to improve experimental time resolution and to minimize sampling volume. The reaction apparatus is heated to provide detectable vapor phase levels of semivolatile compounds without sample preconcentration. Temperature control of the system also allows investigation of the temperature dependence of OH−organic reactions. OH radicals are generated by the photolysis of O3 in the presence of water vapor to avoid the wall effects associated with the more commonly used alkyl nitrite photolysis. The temperature dependence of the OH−toluene reaction is investigated from 276 to 397 K in 1 atm of He and from 296 to 363 K in 1 atm of N2/O2. In He, the OH−toluene reaction rate constant at 298 K is (5.9 ± 1.5) × 10-12 cm3 s-1, and in N2/O2, the rate constant at 298 K is (5.8 ± 1.5) × 10-12 cm3 s-1. Rate ...
Ghrelin receptor agonist, GHRP-2, attenuates burn injury-induced MuRF-1 and MAFbx expression and muscle proteolysis in rats.

Thermal injury results in hypermetabolism, loss of body weight, and skeletal muscle wasting in mice and rats. Our earlier studies have demonstrated that ghrelin injection stimulates food intake and growth hormone release and inhibits skeletal muscle proteolysis in rats with thermal injury. We sought to develop a lower molecular weight, stable and longer acting peptide to combat the catabolic responses caused by thermal injury. Towards this goal, we examined the role of the hexapeptide mimetic of ghrelin, growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2), on expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases and breakdown of muscle protein in rats with thermal injury. Slow in vivo release of GHRP-2 through minipump for 24 h attenuated the thermal injury-induced increase in mRNA expression of IL-6 and of the E3 ubiquitin ligases, MuRF-1 and MAFbx, in rat skeletal muscle. Furthermore, burn-induced increases in total and myofibrillar protein breakdown from rat EDL muscle were attenuated by GHRP-2. These findings suggest that catabolic responses resulting from thermal injury can be attenuated by GHRP-2.
Novel approach for detection of toxic organophosphorus compounds

Abstract We report on a novel approach for the detection of toxic organophosphorus (OP) compounds using electrochemical and fluorescence spectroscopy. An electrochemical sensor device that employs gold (Au) interdigitated electrodes (IDT) on a glass substrate was used for the electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of various OP compounds. Picomolar level detection of ethion, malathion, parathion and fenthion was made possible through EIS performed in the presence of benzodipyrido [3,2-a:2′3′-c] phenazine (BDPPZ). Quantitative detection of ethion, malathion, parathion and fenthion, based on different optical signals produced in the emission spectra, was obtained through fluorescence titration spectroscopy for concentrations as low as 1 pM, 1 nM, 1 μM and 10 μM, respectively.
An acid-persulfate digestion procedure for determination of phosphorus in sediments

Abstract A potassium persulfate‐sulfuric acid autoclave digestion was used to determine phosphorus (P) in 10–50 mg soil and sediment samples. This safe, convenient digestion method released a large fraction of the P released by the hazardous perchloric acid digestion method. Total P in stormflow sediments by perchloric acid digestion can be predicted with acceptable accuracy from P by the acid‐persulfate digestion provided that homogeneous, replicate subsamples are analyzed. Nonrepresentative subsampling is the main source of analytical error in the P results by either digestion method.
Small-Molecule Screening Identifies the Selanazal Drug Ebselen as a Potent Inhibitor of DMT1-Mediated Iron Uptake

HEK293T cells overexpressing divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1) were established to screen for small-molecule inhibitors of iron uptake. Using a fluorescence-based assay, we tested 2000 known bioactive compounds to find 3 small molecules that potently block ferrous iron uptake. One of the inhibitors, ebselen, is a seleno compound used in clinical trials as a protective agent against ischemic stroke. Ebselen inhibited Fe(II) uptake (IC(50) of approximately 0.22 microM), but did not influence Fe(III) transport or DMT1-mediated manganese uptake. An unrelated antioxidant, pyrrolidine dithiobarbamate (PDTC), also inhibited DMT1 activity (IC(50) of approximately 1.54 microM). Both ebselen and PDTC increased cellular levels of reduced glutathione. These observations indicate that Fe(II) transport by DMT1 can be modulated by cellular redox status and suggest that ebselen may act therapeutically to limit iron-catalyzed damage due to transport inhibition.
A two institution experience with 226 endoscopically placed jejunal feeding tubes in critically ill surgical patients

Abstract Background Early jejunal feeding after surgery or trauma reduces infectious complications. Although not ideal gastric and postpyloric feedings are often used, however, because of difficulty in placing feeding tubes distal to the ligament of Treitz (LOT). Our hypothesis was that feeding tube placement distal to the LOT can be accomplished using a bedside transendoscopic technique. Methods Transendoscopic jejunal (TEJ) tube placement and TEJ tubes inserted simultaneously through percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) tubes (PEG/TEJ) were attempted to be placed distal to the LOT. Results In all, 226 feeding tubes (185 TEJ, 41 PEG/TEJ) were placed in 179 trauma and 47 nontrauma patients over 3 years (August 20, 1998 to July 15, 2001). Tube location was jejunal in 93.8% of trauma patients, 76.6% of nontrauma patients, and 90.3% of all patients. (Confidence intervals were 89.3% to 96.5%, 62.8% to 86.4%, and 85.7% to 93.5%). Days of total parenteral nutrition were reduced 71.3% in trauma patients, 22.8% in nontrauma patients, and 45% overall at one institution. Conclusions Bedside TEJ and PEG/TEJ placement is safe and successful in placing feeding tubes distal to the LOT in more than 90% of critically ill surgical patients.
Mapping functional connectivity in patients with brain lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The spatial distribution of functional connectivity between brain areas and the disturbance introduced by focal brain lesions are poorly understood. Based on the rationale that damaged brain tissue is disconnected from the physiological interactions among healthy areas, this study aimed to map the functionality of brain areas according to their connectivity with other areas. METHODS: Magnetoencephalography recordings of spontaneous cortical activity during resting state were obtained from 15 consecutive patients with focal brain lesions and from 14 healthy control subjects. Neural activity in the brain was estimated using an adaptive spatial filtering technique. The mean imaginary coherence between brain voxels was then calculated as an index of functional connectivity. RESULTS: Imaginary coherence was greatest in the alpha frequency range corresponding to the human cortical idling rhythm. In healthy subjects, functionally critical brain areas such as the somatosensory and language cortices had the highest alpha coherence. When compared with healthy control subjects, all lesion patients had diffuse or scattered brain areas with decreased alpha coherence. Patients with lesion-induced neurological deficits displayed decreased connectivity estimates in the corresponding brain area compared with intact contralateral regions. In tumor patients without preoperative neurological deficits, brain areas showing decreased coherence could be surgically resected without the occurrence of postoperative deficits. INTERPRETATION: Resting state coherence measured with magnetoencephalography is capable of mapping the functional connectivity of the brain, and can therefore offer valuable information for use in planning resective surgeries in patients with brain lesions, as well as investigations into structural-functional relationships in healthy subjects.
Influence of twist pitch and sample length on proximity effect coupling in multifilamentary composites described in terms of a field independent, two current region model

Abstract Magnetization and loss have been measured via vibrating sample magnetometry for a set of multifilamentary NbTi superconductive strands exhibiting a wide range of proximity effect (PE) coupling. Measurements extending over a large range of twist pitches L p and sample lengths L demonstrated that the magnetization and loss behaved similarly with respect to both parameters. For small L p ( L ) values, magnetization and loss were linear with L p ( L ), while for larger values a saturation was found (with either L p or L ). Additionally, critical fields and critical currents for the proximity effected matrix, as well as penetration fields for the composite, were measured. Critical state models for anisotropic media were used to calculate the magnetization and penetration fields of these strands over a large range of L p values. A calculation of the transfer length and magnetization of short samples is also presented.
Identifying Multimedia Production Competencies and Skills of Instructional Design and Technology Professionals: An Analysis of Recent Job Postings:

In an effort to document necessary multimedia production competencies of Instructional Design and Technology graduates, a recent analysis of over 7 months' worth of Instructional Design and Technology job advertisements (n = 615) were conducted. Specific job skills from these postings were categorized and analyzed. The data set includes three job settings (corporate, higher education, and combination). We describe pertinent results, as well as compare and contrast these results with earlier studies. Differences between corporate and higher education job postings also are examined. Implications on revising courses and related curricula that teach multimedia production skills also are explored.
The path-transition paradigm: a practical methodology for adding animation to program interfaces

Animation is becoming an increasingly popular feature of user interfaces and software development environments. Unfortunately, few tools for adding animation to interfaces and environments currently exist, and those that are available tend to be ad hoc approaches, lacking any formal semantic basis. In many of these cases, animation is achieved by the simple shuffling of bitmap images. In this paper we describe a practical animation paradigm for creating real-time, two-dimensional, aesthetically-pleasing, color animations. Our method is called the path-transition paradigm, and it is based on four abstract data types: location, image, path, and transition. Producing animation sequences in this paradigm involves the creation and modification of instances of the data types. We develop precise semantics and specifications for the data types, resulting in a rigorous framework for describing the actions that occur in an animation. We present results from our experiments with the paradigm applied to an algorithm animation system that displays sophisticated views of program executions.
Polymersomes: A new multi-functional tool for cancer diagnosis and therapy

Nanoparticles are being developed as delivery vehicles for therapeutic pharmaceuticals and contrast imaging agents. Polymersomes (mesoscopic polymer vesicles) possess a number of attractive biomaterial properties that make them ideal for these applications. Synthetic control over block copolymer chemistry enables tunable design of polymersome material properties. The polymersome architecture, with its large hydrophilic reservoir and its thick hydrophobic lamellar membrane, provides significant storage capacity for both water soluble and insoluble substances (such as drugs and imaging probes). Further, the brush-like architecture of the polymersome outer shell can potentially increase biocompatibility and blood circulation times. A further recent advance is the development of multi-functional polymersomes that carry pharmaceuticals and imaging agents simultaneously. The ability to conjugate biologically active ligands to the brush surface provides a further means for targeted therapy and imaging. Hence, polymersomes hold enormous potential as nanostructured biomaterials for future in vivo drug delivery and diagnostic imaging applications.
A Basic, Highly Maintainable Airborne Video Tape Recorder/Reproducer

Reliability and maintainability are important parameters to both user and designer of military equipments. Reliability of electronics equipment can be and has been treated so that nearly any desired level of reliability can be designed in Magnetic recording equipments, however, consist of extensive electro-mechanical systems and the reliability of such systems has frequently not met the expectations of the user or the designer. An even, more frustrating aspect of the equipment from the standpoint of users has been the difficulty of repair of a failure, or plainly, the problem of keeping the equipment on the air". The basic design of magnetic recording equipment, has historically been such that maintenance is difficult.© (1973) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Reverse engineering the genotype–phenotype map with natural genetic variation

The genetic variation that occurs naturally in a population is a powerful resource for studying how genotype affects phenotype. Each allele is a perturbation of the biological system, and genetic crosses, through the processes of recombination and segregation, randomize the distribution of these alleles among the progeny of a cross. The randomized genetic perturbations affect traits directly and indirectly, and the similarities and differences between traits in their responses to common perturbations allow inferences about whether variation in a trait is a cause of a phenotype (such as disease) or whether the trait variation is, instead, an effect of that phenotype. It is then possible to use this information about causes and effects to build models of probabilistic 'causal networks'. These networks are beginning to define the outlines of the 'genotype–phenotype map'.
Contribution of nonesterified fatty acids to insulin resistance in the elderly with normal fasting but diabetic 2-hour postchallenge plasma glucose levels: the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Isolated postchallenge hyperglycemia (IPH) with normal fasting plasma glucose <100 mg/dL and plasma glucose with diabetic 2-hour plasma glucose ≥200 mg/dL after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is a common occurrence in the elderly. We sought to understand what unique characteristics this population might have that puts it at risk for this particular metabolic finding. We therefore conducted a longitudinal study of volunteers in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). All volunteers had an OGTT performed (75 g) on 2 or more occasions. We measured plasma levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), ghrelin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, C-reactive protein, cytokines, and their soluble receptors, as well as nonesterified free fatty acids (NEFAs). We determined that 22 subjects in BLSA had IPH, accounting for 2.1% of the BLSA population. All 22 were older than 65 years. They were then matched by age, sex, and body mass index to 12 subjects who had isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 15 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). All subjects had normal fasting glucose levels <100 mg/dL in accordance with the American Diabetes Association Expert Committee on the Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus criteria (2003). We found that subjects with IPH had similar plasma insulin levels to the other 2 groups, except at the 2-hour time when their insulin levels were higher than NGT (P < .05). Although there was a clear trend for differences in the insulinogenic index, the areas under the curves for insulin, systolic blood pressure, adiponectin, and C-reactive protein across the glucose tolerance categories revealed no statistical significance. Cytokines and their soluble receptors, gut hormones, and adipokines were similar in all 3 groups. The NEFA levels were significantly elevated in the fasting state (P < .05) in the IPH compared with NGT, with IGT intermediate between the other 2 groups. The rate of clearance of NEFAs after the OGTT decreased progressively from the NGT to the IPH group (in micromoles per liter per minute: NGT, 11.9 vs IGT, 7.6 vs IPH, 3.0). We conclude that the rate of suppression of lipolysis in the elderly determines the sensitivity of glucose uptake to insulin after OGTT.
Identification and characterization of the bovine G protein-coupled receptor GPR41 and GPR43 genes.

Abstract Volatile fatty acids (VFA), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, are not only a primary source of energy, but also regulate rumen development, insulin and glucagon secretion, and other physiological processes in cattle and sheep. The mechanism underlying the regulatory effects of VFA is unknown. Recent "reverse pharmacology" studies identified human G protein-coupled receptors GPR41 and GPR43 as receptors for short-chain fatty acids. It is possible that proteins similar to human GPR41 and GPR43 mediate the regulatory effects of VFA in cattle. In this study, we determined first, whether the bovine genome contains genes similar to the human GPR41 and GPR43 genes; second, whether and where these genes are expressed in cattle; and third, if the proteins encoded by these genes can be activated by acetate, propionate, and butyrate. A search of GenBank revealed bovine genomic sequences and expressed sequence tags highly similar to the human GPR41 and GPR43 DNA and cDNA sequences. The protein-coding and 5′ untranslated regions of the bovine GPR41 and GPR43 mRNA were cloned and sequenced from spleen tissue. Based on these sequences, the bovine GPR41 gene contains 3 exons and its transcription is initiated at 2 leader exons, generating 2 GPR41 mRNA variants differing in the 5′ untranslated region. The bovine GPR43 gene contains 2 exons and transcription of this gene is initiated from a single start site. The amino acid sequences deduced from the bovine GPR41 and GPR43 mRNA sequences are more than 75% identical to those of the human GPR41 and GPR43 and are predicted to encode 7 transmembrane domains, typical of G protein-coupled receptors. Both bovine GPR41 and GPR43 mRNA were detected in a variety of tissues including rumen and pancreas. In a cell system, interaction of the overexpressed bovine GPR41 or GPR43 protein with acetate, propionate, or butyrate inhibited luciferase reporter expression from a cyclic AMP-responsive promoter, suggesting that the bovine GPR41 and GPR43 proteins couple to Gα i/11 . In total, these results demonstrate that the bovine genome encodes functional GPR41 and GPR43 genes and suggest that GPR41 and GPR43 may play a role in the regulatory effects of VFA in cattle.