cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes to study competition between ruminal fibrolytic bacteria: development of probes for Ruminococcus species and evidence for bacteriocin production

A total of six oligonucleotide probes, complementary to the 16S rRNA, were evaluated for quantitative and determinative studies of Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens. On the basis of specificity studies, probes for R. albus (probe RAL196) and R. flavefaciens (probe RFL196) were selected to quantitate these species in mixed culture. In combination with a Fibrobacter succinogenes S85 subspecies probe (SUB1) and a domain Bacteria (formerly kingdom Eubacteria) probe (EUB338), they were used to quantitate these species competing in mixed cultures for cellobiose as the carbon source. In dicultures containing R. albus 8 and F. succinogenes S85, competition was not observed. However, R. flavefaciens FD-1 eventually outcompeted F. succinogenes S85 when cellobiose was the substrate. When R. albus 8 and R. flavefaciens FD-1 were grown together on cellobiose medium, R. albus 8 outcompeted R. flavefaciens FD-1, resulting in undetectable R. flavefaciens 16S rRNA only 1 to 3 h after inoculation, suggesting production of an antagonistic compound by R. albus 8 during rapid growth on soluble substrates. Further, when R. albus 8, R. flavefaciens FD-1, and F. succinogenes S85 were grown together in a triculture, R. flavefaciens FD-1 16S rRNA was detectable for only 2 h after inoculation, while R. albus 8 and F. succinogenes S85 showed a similar competition pattern to that of the dicultures. The results show that the Ruminococcus probes were effective in the measurement of relative populations of selected R. albus and R. flavefaciens strains during in vitro competition studies with F. succinogenes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Assuming Bosnia: Taking Polities Seriously in Ethnically Divided States

This essay is a reflection on democracy, justice and intervention. It focuses on the Bosnian experience, and this requires one to consider several elements and actors: Bosnia as a state, Bosnians as a people or peoples, and the international community. For since Dayton, the indispensable context for reform in Bosnia has been the international protectorate, which is to say the deliberate abrogation of autonomous, democratic, domestic processes for some defined, and hopefully higher, set of purposes. These purposes are expressed in the Dayton Accords, though increasingly the structures of Dayton Bosnia itself are seen as a real obstacle to stabilization, efficiency and prosperity - to the dual values of integration and denying victory to genocide.This essay examines the processes used by the international community to govern Bosnia since the war, the assumptions underlying that project of governance, and the consequences for the population. Those processes and assumptions suggest a policy premised upon resistance to the fragmentation of the state under any circumstances, and an abiding commitment to reducing the degree of separation among the populations within that state which the international community has willed into being. How necessary - indeed, how related at all - are those commitments to the dictates of justice? What is the relationship of such premises, which justify our intervention, to another set of commitments to democracy? International commitment to Bosnia is intense, but not profound. It rests on a powerful emotional conviction - and a sense of guilt for what we failed to do - but a conviction whose connection to actual policy choices is essentially arbitrary. The international community's - and Bosnians' - desire for stability, prosperity and justice might be better served by allowing more meaningful debate about Bosnia's future, and our own commitment to democracy makes it essential that we let Bosnians decide. The essay first describes the shape of the Bosnian polity and the role of the international community in shaping it; it then assesses core assumptions about the integrationist agenda of the international community's intervention, including the problematic tension between its concept of justice and democratic autonomy; finally it considers several potential objections to allowing more open democratic processes in Bosnia. This essay discusses Bosnia, but it has implications for re-conceptualizing claims about the democratic nature of states - and when it is right to intervene in them - much farther afield.
Effects of gender on mitochondria-derived middle cerebral artery function in rats (680.7)

Significant gender differences in the composition and functionality of cerebral arteries have been shown, but effects of mitochondrial-derived responses have not been examined. Our study tested whether mitochondrial mechanisms promoting changes in cerebral vascular tone are different in male and female rats. We examined the effects of a mitoKATP opener, diazoxide (DZ), bradykinin (BK), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on isolated, pressurized MCAs from 9 week old male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. We measured levels of mitochondrial proteins of the voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC), Complex V, the fission protein DRP-1, and endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Levels of Complex V and VDAC were similar in male and female rats, but the protein expression of phosphorylated DRP-1, total and phosphorylated eNOS and nNOS in MCAs were significantly higher in females than in males. However, DZ induced vasodilation was greater in male MCAs (21.1±4.5 μm to 50μM, 44.8±4.7 μm to 100 μM) compared...
Mixed integer programming for HVACs operation

Mixed integer programming (MIP) problems are formulated in this paper to model the operation of residential Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Systems (HVAC). The objective is to minimize the total cost of the HVAC energy consumption under varying electricity prices. A simplified model of a space cooling system considering thermal dynamics is adopted. The optimization problems consider 24 hour operation of HVAC. Comfort/cost trade-off is modeled by introducing a binary variable. The big-M technique is adopted to obtain linear constraints while considering this binary variable. The MIP problems are solved by CPLEX. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of HVAC's ability to respond to varying electricity price.
Tributary Trade and China's Relations with the West

Until a century ago, China's foreign relations were suzerain-vassal relations conducted through the ancient forms of the tributary system. This traditional Chinese basis for diplomacy was finally turned upside down by the “unequal” treaties of the period 1842–1858, but vestiges of the old Chinese way of dealing with the barbarians survived much longer and today still form a considerable though latent portion of the heritage of Chinese diplomats. It is of course a truism that tribute was not exactly what it seemed, and that both diplomacy and international trade were conducted within the tributary framework. The following essay offers a preliminary interpretation of the origin, function, and significance of this great Chinese institution.
An assessment of the impact of two distinct survey design modifications on health care utilization estimates in the medical expenditure panel survey

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) is one of the core health care surveys that are a primary source for essential national healthcare utilization estimates. In 2007, the survey experienced two dominant survey design modifications: a new sample design attributable to the sample redesign of the National Health Interview Survey, and an upgrade to the Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) platform for the survey instrument, moving from a DOS to a Windows based environment. This study examines the impact of these survey design modifications on the national health care utilization estimates. Particular attention is given to assessing the level of convergence in utilization estimates based on the alternative designs as well as the alignment of model based analyses that discern which factors are associated with health care use. The paper concludes with a discussion of strategies that may yield additional improvements in the accuracy for these policy relevant survey estimates.
Sterol superlattice affects antioxidant potency and can be used to assess adverse effects of antioxidants

Abstract We have developed a fluorescence method to examine how membrane sterol lateral organization affects the potency of antioxidants, and used this information to evaluate possible adverse effects of lipid-soluble antioxidants seen in recent clinical studies. In the presence of an antioxidant, the lag time (τ) produced during free radical-induced sterol oxidation in lipid vesicles reflects the potency of the antioxidant. The ascorbic acid-induced τ value varies with sterol mol% in a biphasic manner, showing a minimum at the critical sterol mole fraction for maximal superlattice formation ( C r ), in ascorbic acid concentrations ⩽120 μM, indicating that the sterol superlattice affects antioxidant potency. In contrast, the biphasic change in τ at C r was observed only at doses of ascorbyl palmitate C r is abolished. Our data suggest that while ascorbyl palmitate is a more efficient antioxidant than its water-soluble counterpart as judged by the τ value, it can easily perturb sterol lateral organization by insertion into membrane bilayers, which could impose detrimental effects on cells. The threshold antioxidant concentration ( C th ) to abolish biphasic change in τ at C r may vary with antioxidant and could be used to assess potential adverse effects of other lipid-soluble antioxidants.
The effects of temperature, salinity and a simulated tidal cycle on the toxicity of fenitrothion to Callinectes sapidus.

Abstract 1. The 96 hr LC 50 for Callinectes sapidus exposed to fenitrothion at 22°C and a salinity of 34 ppt (parts per thousand) was estimated to be 8.6μg/l with a 95% confidence interval of 7.4–9.9 μg/l. 2. Acute toxicity was shown to increase with increasing temperature as well as increasing salinity. 3. Exposure of Callinectes to a simulated tidal cycle of 17 ppt salinity change at 6 hr intervals increased the acute toxicity of fenitrothion to Callinectes . 4. The autotomization response in Callinectes was shown to be affected at subacute exposure levels as low as 0.1 μg/l.
Role of Pore Fluids in Faulting

We consider three in situ processes which involve fluid flow in the crust: fault creep, aftershocks and dilatancy. Measurements of water level in wells suggest that creep events on the San Andreas fault are coupled with pore pressure changes. Readjustment of transient pore pressure, induced by large shallow earthquakes, possess the correct time constants and magnitudes to explain the occurrence of aftershocks. And finally, temporal changes of travel times in the Gram district (U.S.S.R.) imply that dilatancy may occur in situ.
Language games, segment imposition, and the syllable

Language games in which the phonological forms of words are systematically altered have been well-studied from a typological perspective. The two most common types of language games entail the transposition of phonological constituents (usually syllables) and the addition of phonemes at one or more locations within the word. Here we examine the latter type, proposing a novel distinction between insertion-type games and imposition-type games (exemplified, for example, by Spanish grande, which has the language game form grafandefe). In previous studies, imposition-type games have been analyzed formally as inserting a CV-template after each vowel of the word. We propose instead that such games involve the imposition of a consonant articulation upon the vowel. Not only is this approach conceptually simpler than the templatic approach, but it also provides an unproblematic account of diphthongal behavior, a natural explanation for the high frequency of inserted labial consonants, and independent support for the concept of the demisyllable.
A Comparison of Three Prediction Equations for Estimating Energy Requirements

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To determine the accuracy of three methods of predicting energy requirements across a range of energy needs. The accurate prediction of energy requirements is a challenge facing many dietitians. We have previously developed a regression equation using fat-free mass(FFM) to predict 24-hour(hr) energy expenditure(EE) based on whole-room indirect calorimetry. This equation was developed from calorimetry data where subjects were not performing any prescribed physical activity. Thirty female and 34 male subjects, aged 30.7 (+/−7.1) years, had measurements of body composition by hydrodensitometry, resting metabolic rate(RMR) using a ventilated hood system and 24-hr EE determined during a stay in a whole-room indirect calorimeter. During the stay in the calorimeter, subjects performed a low-intensity stepping and walking exercise to simulate usual sedentary daily activity. Subjects were primarily Caucasian (95% of sample) and all were weight-stable with a mean body mass index(BMI) of 23.4 +/−3.0kg/m 2 . Measured 24-hr EE was compared to three methods of prediction: 1) the regression equation based on FFM, 2) RMR and 3) the Harris-Benedict equation. An activity factor of 1.3 was applied to each method. The group mean difference (
Chemical Evaluation Of Inner Ear Fluid As A Diagnostic Aid

Biochemical analyses have been made of the inner-ear fluids of patients with otosclerosis, Meniere's disease, and acoustic neurinoma. Unconta-minated samples of perilymph removed from the vestibule of otosclerotic ears show normal values for K, Na, and protein. For Meniere's disease, fluid from the vestibule shows normal values for endolymph and from the scala tympani of the basal turn, normal values for perilymph. For patients with acoustic neurinoma, the fluid removed from the vestibule and from the horizontal canal shows very high protein values even for those patients having normal protein values in the cerebrospinal fluid. Biochemical analysis of inner-ear fluid is a useful aid for difficult diagnostic problems.
Influence of temperature, composition, silica activity and oxygen fugacity on the H2O storage capacity of olivine at 8 GPa

Olivine crystals were grown in the presence of a hydrous silicate fluid during multi-anvil experiments at 8 GPa and 1,000–1,600°C. Experiments were conducted both in a simple system (FeO–MgO–SiO2–H2O) and in a more complex system containing additional elements (CaO–Na2O–Al2O3–Cr2O3–TiO2–FeO–MgO–SiO2–H2O). Silica activity was buffered by the presence of either pyroxene (high a SiO2) or ferropericlase (low a SiO2), and $$f_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} }$$ was buffered by the presence of Ni + NiO or Fe + FeO, or constrained by the presence of Fe2O3. Raman spectroscopy was used to identify pyroxene polymorphs in the run products. Clinoenstatite was present in the 1,000°C experiment, and enstatite in experiments at 1,400–1,520°C. The H2O content of olivine was measured using secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the nature of hydrous defects. The H2O storage capacity of olivine decreases with increasing temperature at 8 GPa. In contrast to previous experimental results at ≤2 GPa, no significant effect of varying oxygen fugacity is evident, but H2O storage capacity is enhanced under conditions of low silica activity. No significant growth of low wavenumber (<3,400 cm−1) peaks, generally associated with high $$f_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} }$$ at low pressure, was observed in the FTIR spectra of olivine from the high $$f_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} }$$ experiments. Our experiments show that previous high pressure H2O storage capacity measurements for olivine synthesized under more oxidizing conditions than the Earth’s mantle are not likely to be compromised by the $$f_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} }$$ of the experiments. However, the considerable effect of temperature on H2O storage capacity in olivine must be taken into account to avoid overestimation of the bulk upper mantle H2O storage capacity.
Recruiting Ethnically Diverse General Internal Medicine Patients for a Telephone Survey on Physician-Patient Communication

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of recruitment methods among diverse populations.
Towards a practical Fourier transform infrared chemical imaging protocol for cancer histopathology

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) chemical imaging is a strongly emerging technology that is being increasingly applied to examine tissues in a high-throughput manner. The resulting data quality and quantity have permitted several groups to provide evidence for applicability to cancer pathology. It is critical to understand, however, that an integrated approach with optimal data acquisition, classification, and validation is necessary to realize practical protocols that can be translated to the clinic. Here, we first review the development of technology relevant to clinical translation of FTIR imaging for cancer pathology. The role of each component in this approach is discussed separately by quantitative analysis of the effects of changing parameters on the classification results. We focus on the histology of prostate tissue to illustrate factors in developing a practical protocol for automated histopathology. Next, we demonstrate how these protocols can be used to analyze the effect of experimental parameters on prediction accuracy by analyzing the effects of varying spatial resolution, spectral resolution, and signal to noise ratio. Classification accuracy is shown to depend on the signal to noise ratio of recorded data, while depending only weakly on spectral resolution.
Neutron single particle levels in a Wood-Saxon potential

Abstract Neutron single particle levels in the Wood-Saxon well with a Thomas spin-orbit are calculated. The A -dependence of levels, their ordering, and spin-doublet spacings are in good agreement with experiment.
Shape and surface roughness effects on turbulent nosetip ablation

A simplified analysis is performed for first-order estimates of shape and surface roughness effects on turbulent ablation of a re-entry body nose surface. The analysis treats the stable turbulent ablated nose shape formed on an ablating cylinder in parallel hypersonic flow. It is assumed that: turbulent boundary-layer flow exists over the entire nose, a stable shape solution exists, surface pressures are Newtonian, and boundary-layer edge properties are given by isentropic expansion of flow that entered the shock layer through a normal shock. A flatplate reference enthalpy relation is used to describe turbulent heating. In addition, an approximate analysis is presented for the effect of ablative material surface roughness on the recession rate of the turbulent shape. It is found that for the cases of 7 = 1.2, 1.4, and 1.585, a power-law nose shape is predicted with r oc s0-75, except near the axis of symmetry where r cc so.8o an(j i^ sonic point is located at about two-thirds of the body radius aft of the forward tip. Also, it is found that ablative material surface roughness of 0.001 in. can cause significant increases in recession rate at stagnation point pressures over 10 atm for representative re-entry conditions and body sizes. The applicability of these results for the evaluation of re-entry body shape change and recession rate is discussed.
Do college studentsstill prefer companies without employment drug testing

Two experiments examined the effects of drug testing policies on undergraduates' behavioral intentions and attitudes toward the company. Study 1 (n=267) manipulated type of drug testing and consequences of detected use. Study 2 (n=267) manipulated the presence of applicant and employee drug testing. Subjects in both studies showed stronger intentions to apply to a company with random employee testing than one with no employee testing. Study 2 also found that an interaction between company policy and subjects' attitudes toward drug testing affected attitudes toward the company. Both studies suggest that employee drug testing may now foster recruitment.
The oxidative degradation of imide polymers. I: Ozonolysis of a model compound, N‐phenylphthalimide

The reactions of N-phenylphthalimide films with ozone have been studied under a variety of conditions: dry ozone, moist ozone, ozone plus ultraviolet light, as well as ozone plus water vapor plus ultraviolet light. This compound is a conveniently available model for imide polymers. These reaction conditions represent simulation of certain aspects of the space environment. For each set of reaction conditions the reaction products were determined by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Semiempirical molecular orbital computations were made of the relative energetics of possible reaction pathways consistent with the generation of the observed products. The reaction products found indicate fragmentation of the imidic moiety for which the energetics are favorable.
Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase from spinach leaves: purification, in vitro translation of the mRNA, and regulation by salinity.

Abstract Spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves contain a nuclear-encoded chloroplastic betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.8) which is induced several-fold by salinization. Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase was purified 2400-fold to homogeneity with an overall yield of 14%. The procedure included fractional precipitation with ammonium sulfate, followed by ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and hydroxyapatite chromatography in open columns, and ion-exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography in a fast-protein liquid chromatography system. The betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase had a p I of 5.65, and a broad pH optimum between 7.5 and 9.5. The K m values for NAD + and NADP + were 20 and 320 μ m , respectively; the V max of the reaction with NADP + was 75% of that with NAD + . The native enzyme is a dimer with subunits of M r 63,000. Highly specific antiserum was raised against the native enzyme, and was used in conjunction with cell-free translation of leaf poly(A) + RNA to show (a) that betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase is synthesized as a precursor of M r 1200 higher than the mature polypeptide, and (b) that both chronic salt stress and salt shock provoke a several-fold increase in the level of translatable message for the enzyme.
Saccharin preference of butyraldoxime-treated C57BL mice

Butyraldoxim, das in C57BL-Mausen bevorzugtes Alkoholtrinken vermindert, wurde im 2-Wahl-Vorzugsversuch in Wasser oder Saccharinlosung verabreicht und fuhrte zu keiner konditionierten Aversion. Das Ergebnis bestatigt die Hypothese, der Butyraldoxim-Effekt beruhe auf spezifisch metabolischer Wechselwirkung mit Alkohol.
Robotic ureteroureterostomy in children with a duplex collecting system

Duplex collecting system pathology can be handled using an ablative procedure or reconstructive procedure even in the light of a poorly functioning moiety. We propose that, when a reconstructive procedure is an option, a robotic ureteroureterostomy is safe and feasible. Fifteen children between the ages of 6 months and 10 years (mean 31.26 months) underwent transperitoneal robotic ureteroureterostomy for duplex collecting system pathology. The surgical procedure included transperitoneal robotic approach. Outcome measures included operative time, length of hospital stay, and resolution of symptoms. Mean operative time was 1.2 h (range 0.75-2.2 h) for the entire procedure, including the cystoscopic evaluation. Length of stay averaged 20.8 h (range 15-26 h). All postoperative imaging demonstrated intact, well-draining collecting systems. The presenting symptomatology resolved in all the patients in whom symptoms were present. Robotic ureteroureterostomy is feasible and safe in the pediatric population and should be considered part of the surgical armamentarium when upper tract preservation seems warranted.
Stage II-B carcinoma of the cervix complicated by bilateral pelvic kidneys

Abstract Background . The simultaneous occurrence of advanced cervical cancer and a pelvic kidney is uncommonly reported. It is an interesting clinical problem because the pelvic kidney lies within the radiation field. Case . A patient found to have bilateral pelvic kidneys and stage II-B cervical cancer underwent an anterior exenteration. This was complicated by urinary conduit leakage and eventual nephrectomy for hemorrhage. She has been followed for 14 months with normal renal function and no evidence of disease. Conclusion . A primary surgical approach to stage II-B cervical carcinoma was offered to this patient because of bilateral pelvic kidneys. Anastomotic breakdown with urinary leakage after an ileal conduit remains a significantly morbid problem.
Influence of lattice instability on the superconducting properties of “La3S4”

Abstract The normal state properties (the electronic specific heat constant, Debye temperature and electrical resistivity) and superconducting state properties [the superconducting transition temperature, T c , and the upper critical field at 0 K, H c 2 (0)] have been studied in the La 3 S 4 -La 2 S 3 system. The superconducting properties and the electronic specific heat constant exhibit the maximum values in the alloy with the lowest sulfur content that does not undergo a low temperature crystallographic transformation. At lower sulfur contents the alloys exhibit a cubic to tetragonal transformation at ∼80 K with a serious degradation in their superconducting properties, especially H c 2 (0). These alloys clearly illustrate that materials which are almost but not quite unstable are good superconductors, relative to the more stable compositions.
Biodegradable Coumaric Acid-based Poly(anhydride-ester) Synthesis and Subsequent Controlled Release

p-Coumaric acid (pCA), a naturally occurring bioactive, has been chemically incorporated into a poly(anhydride-ester) backbone through solution polymerization following a Knoevenagel synthetic approach to overcome drug delivery issues associated with its short half-life in vivo. Nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies indicated that pCA was successfully incorporated without noticeable alterations in structural integrity. The weight-average molecular weight and thermal properties were determined for the polymer, which exhibited a molecular weight of over 26,000 Da and a glass transition temperature of 57 °C. In addition, in vitro pCA release via hydrolytic anhydride and ester bond cleavage demonstrated pCA release over 30 days and maintained its antioxidant activity, demonstrating its potential as a controlled release system.
Laboratory technology for population-based screening for severe combined immunodeficiency in neonates: The winner is T-cell receptor excision circles

The most profound primary immunodeficiency disease, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), is fatal in infancy unless affected infants are provided with an adaptive immune system through allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, enzyme replacement, or gene therapy. However, most infants with SCID lack a family history or any clinical clues before the onset of infections, making this serious but treatable disease a candidate for population-based newborn screening. Of several approaches considered for SCID screening, testing for T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs), a DNA biomarker of normal T-cell development, has proved successful. TREC numbers can be measured in DNA isolated from the dried bloodspots already routinely collected for newborn screening. Infants with low or absent TRECs can thus be identified and referred for confirmatory testing and prompt intervention. TREC testing of newborns is now being performed in several states, indicating that this addition to the newborn screening panel can be successfully integrated into state public health programs.
Effect of adding the topoisomerase I poison 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) to 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid in HCT-8 cells: elevated dTTP pools and enhanced cytotoxicity.

Purpose: To determine the effect of combined treatment with 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38, the active metabolite of irinotecan) and 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid (5FU/FA) in vitro using HCT-8 human intestinal adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: Cell survival was examined using colony forming assays. Cell cycle distribution before and after treatment was assessed by flow microfluorimetry. Levels of thymidylate synthase (TS) and topoisomerase I (topo I) in untreated and treated cells were determined by immunoblotting. Changes in deoxynucleotide pools were examined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: Clonogenic assays revealed that colony formation was decreased by 50% after a 24-h exposure to 8 ± 2 nM SN-38 or 12 ± 3 μM 5FU, the latter being assayed in the presence of 2 μM FA. When treatment with 5FU/FA was followed by SN-38, the cytotoxicity was similar to that observed with 5FU/FA alone. In contrast, when HCT-8 cells were exposed to both agents simultaneously or to SN-38 followed by 5FU/FA, the cytotoxicity was greater than that of SN-38 or 5FU/FA treatment alone. Investigation of the mechanistic basis for this sequence dependence revealed that SN-38 treatment was associated with a dose- and time-dependent decrease in conversion of [5-3H]-2′-deoxyuridine to [3H]-H2O and thymidylate in intact cells. Immunoblotting failed to reveal any decrease in TS protein that could account for the decreased activity. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed that SN-38 treatment was associated with increased levels of the deoxynucleotide dTTP and decreased levels of dUTP. Flow microfluorimetry revealed that a 24-h treatment with 10 nM SN-38 resulted in accumulation of HCT-8 cells in late S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, with a further increase in the G2 fraction during the 24 h after SN-38 removal. Conclusions: These observations are consistent with a model in which SN-38 sequentially induces diminished DNA synthesis, elevated dTTP pools, inhibition of dUMP synthesis and enhanced toxicity of 5FU/FA. Accordingly, sequencing of irinotecan and 5FU/FA might be important in combining these agents into an effective treatment for colorectal cancer.
The development of the terminal end bud in the prepubertal‐pubertal mouse mammary gland

Background The mammary gland is one of the few organ systems in mammals that completes its morphologic development postnatally. Due to this unique developmental property, it serves as an excellent model for studying ductal morphogenesis beyond embryonic life. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the development of terminal end bud (TEB) structure in the prepubertal-pubertal mouse mammary gland. Methods Seventy-five mice, weaned at 21 days of age, were fed a high fat, nonrestricted intake diet for optimum mammary gland growth. Wholemount preparations and a computer-assisted image analyzer were used to record the size and number of TEB structures in the thoracic and inguinal mammary glands. A light microscope was used to determine the number of cap cells present in select TEB structures. Results In the prepubertal age group, the size and number (No.) of TEBs in the No. 2 and No. 3 thoracic glands were significantly greater than those in the No. 4 inguinal gland. In the pubertal age group, the size and number of TEBs in the No. 2 gland significantly decreased, indicating that for this particular gland the largest size and greatest number of TEBs are present during the prepubertal growth period. In contrast, the size and number of TEBs in the No. 3 and No. 4 glands remained relatively constant throughout the prepubertal-pubertal growth period. Conclusions The results of this study show: (1) like the rat mammary gland, there is asynchronous growth among the mouse mammary glands, (2) the maximum size and number of TEBs in the prepubertal-pubertal mouse mammary glands are a function of the gland of origin and the age of the mouse, and (3) the number of cap cells per TEB structure is directly correlated with the size of the TEB structure. Anat. Rec. 250:459–464, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mail surveys among college students: do initial responders score differently from nonresponders on the 16PF?

A single experiment is reported which investigated possible personality differences between college students who responded to a mail survey and those who did not. 208 college students completed the 16PF as part of a class assignment. Then each student was mailed a survey dealing with either a national or local issue (environmental, media, or sports). Multivariate analysis of the 16 subscales of the 16PF yielded a significant interaction between sex and response type. Subsequent protected univariate analyses identified significant sex x response type interactions on scales Q2 (Self-reliance), F (Liveliness), and O (Apprehension). Mean differences on the Self-reliance and Apprehension were sex differences rather than personality differences between responders and nonresponders. The only mean difference for response type was on Liveliness and applied only to men; responders scored lower than nonresponders. Multivariate analysis of the global scales of the 16PF yielded a significant interaction between sex an...
The effects of strain rate and long-term aging on the properties of (Fe,Ni)3V LRO alloys

This study investigated the effect of strain rate and long-term thermal aging on the mechanical properties of the (Fe,Ni) 3 V long range ordered (LRO) alloys. Tensile tests covering strain rates from 10 −6 to 10 0 s −1 were performed on the ordered alloys at room temperature. The results indicate that there is little or no effect of strain rate on the tensile strength and ductility. The long-term thermal exposure at 600°C does not cause any significant change in the tensile properties. The deformation and fracture characteristics and with controlling mechanisms change as a function of strain rate and aging time.
Asymptotic behaviour and threshold criteria in model plant disease epidemics

Two qualitative results concerning threshold criteria and asymptotic behaviour in plant disease epidemics are derived from Vanderplank's differential-difference equation. Analysis shows the dependence of these results on initial disease and clarifies some confusion in the literature. Results from the deterministic theory of medical epidemics, based on linked differential equations describing the dynamics of different categories of diseased individuals, are compared with the results derived from the differential-difference equation. Generally, the results correspond although the effects of initial disease need clarification. The need for a strict operational definition of the progeny-parent ratio limits its present use in plant disease epidemiology. In particular the numerical value of the ratio is not a sufficient basis for distinguishing between endemic and epidemic disease. There is a need to link theory in plant disease epidemiology with similar theory in other areas of population biology. The use of linked differential equations, rather than the differential-difference equation, provides a more flexible analytical tool.
Faculty development in information technology education

Information Technology (IT) is an emerging discipline that is well served by faculty members with recent industry experience. Unfortunately, hiring individuals with recent experience can lead to instructors who need help integrating into an academic environment. At the United States Military Academy, our faculty recruiting model results in a turnover of approximately 20% every year. Our challenge is to provide a top notch development program in order to rapidly inculcate the new faculty with an IT appropriate pedagogical focus. This paper describes the details of our faculty development program. The formal developmental process for new instructors begins with an intensive six week summer workshop and continues throughout their time at the Military Academy. During the academic year, mentor and peer classroom visitations provide a unique opportunity for personal pedagogical growth, and periodic seminars and invited speakers help maintain technical currency. At a higher level, our Center for Teaching Excellence publishes a monthly newsletter, coordinates seminars, offers a multi-year developmental program, and presents an annual award for teaching innovation. In addition to internal programs, members of the faculty are provided support and encouragement to attend conferences and remain active in the larger IT community. The paper concludes by describing our faculty evaluation processes, which are used to assess and then improve the development program.
The presence of African American scholarship in early American criminology texts (1918–1960)

This paper reviews the results of a citation analysis conducted to determine the extent of references to African American scholarship in American criminology texts published between 1918 and 1960. The analysis showed that African American graduates from the University of Chicago's “Chicago School”, including Charles Johnson, E. Franklin Frazier, Monroe Work, and Earl R. Moses, were cited most often. They were usually cited in discussions of either race or culture areas and crime. African American scholars' discussions of the effects of social, economic, and political conditions such as slavery, segregation, racism and oppression on crime and criminality, especially among African Americans, were generally not cited. These findings suggest that while claims that African American scholarship cannot be found in mainstream publications might be somewhat overstated as they relate to early American criminology texts, the most important themes found in the writings of African Americans were excluded.
A convergent gradient method for matrix eigenvector-eigentuple problems

A gradient method is presented for solving the eigentuple-eigenvector problem, $$Ax = \sum\limits_{i = 1}^P {\lambda _i B_i x} $$ which is a generalization ofAx=?Bx that occurs in generalized Sturm-Liouville theory. Under certain conditions on matricesA, B 1,...,B P , the method is proved to converge locally. Numerical computations are given in a companion paper.
Spatial distribution of light in luminescent fungal mycelia

The spatial distribution of light in luminescent mycelia of Armillaria mellea and Panus stipticus grown on agar plates was examined by image intensification microscopy. Although, at any instant of time, not all parts of the mycelia emitted light, all kinds of hyphae—primary, secondary, tertiary, aerial, submersed, or superficial—were observed to emit light sometime during the lifetime of the colony. In the individual hypha, light emission was confined to a segment removed from the growing point. The growing point was dark so long as it remained a growing point.
Overlapped block digital filtering

Block digital filtering has been suggested to increase the parallelism of computation and to reduce the computational complexity of digital filtering systems. In this paper the block processing concept is generalized by considering overlapped input and/or output blocks. As an overlapped block digital filter is, in general, a shift-varying system, the conditions for its shift-invariant operation have been developed. These conditions have been exploited to derive computationally efficient shift-invariant block structures. Two types of fast FIR filtering algorithms using the overlapped block filter structures are derived. One is based on the adaptation of fast short-length linear convolution algorithms and the other is based on DFT algorithms. These algorithms not only reduce the computational complexity of filtering operations but also offer modular and parallel structures. Finite wordlength effects of FIR filters implemented using the overlapped block filter structure are also investigated.
Chemokine receptors and leukocyte trafficking in the mucosal immune system

The CC chemokine receptors CCR6, CCR9, and CCR10 all contribute to the positioning of leukocytes at mucosal locations. Mucosal epithelial cells are major sources of the chemokine ligands for each of these receptors, although the pattern of expression of the individual ligands differs at distinct mucosal sites. CCR6 is expressed by most B cells, subsets of CD4 and CD8 memory T cells, and subsets of dendritic cells (DCs). Absence of CCR6 in mice leads to abnormal expansion of intestinal intraepithelial T cells and lamina propria T cells, smaller Peyer's patches, and defects in IgA-mediated responses to oral antigens and pathogens. CCR9 is present on thymocytes, most intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes, and other types of intestine-homing T cells. CCR10 is found on skin-homing T cells and also directs IgA-producing plasma cells into mucosal sites. This review discusses the role of these chemokine receptors in homeostatic regulation of the mucosal immune system.
Outcomes of a Simulation-Based Nurse Residency Program

Abstract Background This novel nurse residency program extensively used human patient simulation to assist recent nurse graduates in becoming safe and competent clinicians. Method Novice nurses practiced clinical skills and developed competencies using scenario-based simulations specifically designed to replicate urgent clinical situations. Results The use of human patient simulators and simulated scenarios rapidly increased the competencies of the nurse residents and their confidence and self-assessed readiness to provide care to patients, as well as decreasing length of orientation and rate of turnover. Conclusion Nurse residency programs integrating simulation offer a consistent, replicable orientation process and support the ability to evaluate competency development, provide standardized experiences and evaluation, and detect and remediate learning needs.
Parameter Estimation in Spatial Interaction Modeling

New ways of estimating the parameters of the so-called ‘doubly-constrained’ spatial interaction model are developed and tested against contemporary procedures. Two variations of the doubly-constrai...
Dose response of weed seeds and soilborne pathogens to 1,3-D and chloropicrin

Abstract InLine (Dow AgroSciences LLC, Indianapolis, IN, USA), a commercial formulation of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D; 61%) plus chloropicrin (33%), is one of the potential replacements to methyl bromide for soil fumigation. The efficacy of 12 InLine concentrations (80–19,520 μmol kg−1) to control five species of weed seeds and four soilborne pathogens was evaluated in a laboratory dose–response study after 24 h of exposure to fumigants in a sandy loam soil at 20 °C in microcosms. Logistic dose–response models were used to estimate the effective concentration to reduce weed seed and pathogen viability by 50% (LC50) or 90% (LC90). Among the weeds, the seed of Portulaca oleracea was the most sensitive to soil fumigation with InLine (LC50=352 μmol kg−1, LC90=583 μmol kg−1), followed by Stellaria media and Polygonum arenastrum with LC90 values of 780 and 1636 μmol kg−1 soil, respectively. The seeds of Malva parviflora and Erodium cicutarium were not sensitive to fumigation up to the highest InLine dose of 19,520 μmol kg−1 soil. Among the pathogens, Pythium ultimum (LC50=30 μmol kg−1 soil, LC90=46 μmol kg−1 soil) was the most sensitive and Verticillium dahliae (LC50=625 μmol kg−1 soil, LC90=2735 μmol kg−1 soil) was the least sensitive to InLine fumigation. Phytophthora cactorum and Fusarium oxysporum exhibited intermediate susceptibility to this soil treatment (LC50⩽397 μmol kg−1 soil, LC90⩽1113 μmol kg−1 soil). In this sandy loam soil, InLine at a concentration of 1636 μmol kg−1 reduced the viability of Portulaca oleracea, S. media, Polygonum arenastrum seeds and all fungi pathogens tested (except for V. dahliae) by 90% at 20 °C after 24 h exposure.
Airway management of aeromedically transported trauma patients

The airway management of 176 consecutive traumatized patients aeromedically transported from the scene of injury was reviewed. In particular, the frequency of performance and time requirements for both blind nasotracheal intubation and cricothyrotomy were analyzed. Airway control was attempted in 70 (39.5%) patients and successful in 67 (95.7%). The average scene Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of these 70 patients was 7.16 (SD = 3.94) and ranged from 3 to 15. For the remaining 106 patients the average GCS was 14.3 (SD = 1.36) and ranged from 6 to 15 (P < .0005). The scene trauma score (TS) of the two groups was 10.2 (SD = 3.11) and 15.2 (SD = 1.38), respectively (P < .0005). In the field, blind nasotracheal intubation by an emergency physician (n = 59) or paramedic (n = 3) was successful in 62 of 65 cases (95.1%). The complication rate for this procedure was 4.6%. Cricothyrotomy was performed in two patients. Only three orotracheal intubations were performed. The remaining three patients were nasotracheally intubated in the emergency department. Neuromuscular blockade was not used in either setting. Despite the difference in patient acuity, there was no statistically significant difference in scene or transport times between those patients emergently intubated and those who were not (P > .05).
The zinc transporter Zip5 (Slc39a5) regulates intestinal zinc excretion and protects the pancreas against zinc toxicity.

Background ZIP5 localizes to the baso-lateral membranes of intestinal enterocytes and pancreatic acinar cells and is internalized and degraded coordinately in these cell-types during periods of dietary zinc deficiency. These cell-types are thought to control zinc excretion from the body. The baso-lateral localization and zinc-regulation of ZIP5 in these cells are unique among the 14 members of the Slc39a family and suggest that ZIP5 plays a role in zinc excretion. Methods/Principal Findings We created mice with floxed Zip5 genes and deleted this gene in the entire mouse or specifically in enterocytes or acinar cells and then examined the effects on zinc homeostasis. We found that ZIP5 is not essential for growth and viability but total knockout of ZIP5 led to increased zinc in the liver in mice fed a zinc-adequate (ZnA) diet but impaired accumulation of pancreatic zinc in mice fed a zinc-excess (ZnE) diet. Loss-of-function of enterocyte ZIP5, in contrast, led to increased pancreatic zinc in mice fed a ZnA diet and increased abundance of intestinal Zip4 mRNA. Finally, loss-of-function of acinar cell ZIP5 modestly reduced pancreatic zinc in mice fed a ZnA diet but did not impair zinc uptake as measured by the rapid accumulation of 67zinc. Retention of pancreatic 67zinc was impaired in these mice but the absence of pancreatic ZIP5 sensitized them to zinc-induced pancreatitis and exacerbated the formation of large cytoplasmic vacuoles containing secretory protein in acinar cells. Conclusions These studies demonstrate that ZIP5 participates in the control of zinc excretion in mice. Specifically, they reveal a paramount function of intestinal ZIP5 in zinc excretion but suggest a role for pancreatic ZIP5 in zinc accumulation/retention in acinar cells. ZIP5 functions in acinar cells to protect against zinc-induced acute pancreatitis and attenuate the process of zymophagy. This suggests that it may play a role in autophagy.
The Clinical Evaluation of Plasma Fibronectin as a Marker for Nutritional Depletion and Repletion and as a Measure of Nitrogen Balance

Plasma fibronectin has been suggested as a possible marker for nutritional repletion or depletion. This study was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of plasma fibronectin in patients who received intense nutritional support. Twenty-seven patients referred to our Nutritional Support Services were followed for 3 to 5 wk; 22 received parenteral hyperalimentation alone, two received enteral alone, and three received a combination of both. Plasma fibronectin, serum albumin, serum transferrin, total lymphocyte counts, and 24-hr urine nitrogen balance studies were performed weekly; anthropometric measurements were performed every other week. Plasma fibronectin concentration, measured by laser nephelometry, showed a significant rise (p < 0.005) in all patients after 1 wk of nutritional therapy; however, there was no significant difference among the subsequent weeks. Plasma fibronectin did not correlate with nitrogen balance studies, serum albumin, or total lymphocyte counts. A correlation between serum transfe...