cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oviposition of Culicoides insignis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) under laboratory conditions with notes on the developmental life history traits of its immature stages.

BACKGROUND Culicoides insignis is a confirmed vector of bluetongue virus (BTV) throughout the American tropics and a possible vector of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) in Florida. Despite its importance, fundamental information on the biology and ecology of this vector species is lacking. In this study, we examined the oviposition of C. insignis under laboratory conditions, monitored the development of immature stages and attempted colonization of this species. METHODS Live C. insignis females were collected from the field using CDC-UV-LED traps, allowed to blood-feed on live chicken and given various natural substrates for oviposition in two-choice assays. The eggs deposited were transferred to 0.3% agar slants, and the hatched larvae were provided a diet of Panagrellus redivivus Linnaeus nematodes and the development of all immature stages was monitored. RESULTS Culicoides insignis females exhibited an overall oviposition preference for dishes containing mud from their larval habitat as gravid females deposited a significantly higher number of eggs on these dishes (35.3 eggs/female) than on controls (17.7 eggs/female). The ovipositing females also deposited a higher percentage of eggs on substrates with habitat mud and other organically enriched muds (≥ 75.2%) compared to controls (31.0%). The larvae developed successfully to adulthood on the nematode diet, exhibiting high overall larval survival rates (85.0%). Sex ratios of the F1 generation were male biased, approximately 3:1 (male:female). Captive mating could not be induced in the F1 adults. CONCLUSIONS Mud from the larval habitat and other organically enriched muds provide strong oviposition cues to C. insignis under laboratory conditions. Further studies will be needed to identify the key biotic/abiotic factors influencing midge oviposition in the field. The agar/nematode method is effective for the rearing of C. insignis larvae. However, further studies will be needed to address the issue of male-biased sex ratios in the progeny and to examine the mating habits/cues of C. insignis in nature, which may provide clues towards inducing captive mating in the F1 adults.
Associations of dietary, lifestyle, other participant characteristics, and oxidative balance scores with plasma F2-isoprostanes concentrations in a pooled cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE Plasma F2-isoprostanes (FiP) concentration, a reliably measured, valid, systemic oxidative stress biomarker, has been associated with multiple health-related outcomes; however, associations of most individual dietary and lifestyle exposures with FiP are unclear, and there is no reported oxidative balance score (OBS) comprising multiple dietary and/or lifestyle components weighted by their associations with FiP. METHODS To investigate cross-sectional associations of dietary and lifestyle characteristics with plasma FiP concentrations, we used multivariable general linear models to compare adjusted mean FiP concentrations across categories of dietary nutrient and whole-food intakes and lifestyle characteristics in two pooled cross-sectional studies (n = 386). We also developed equal-weight and weighted OBS (nutrient- and foods-based dietary OBS, lifestyle OBS, and total OBS), and compared adjusted mean FiP concentrations across OBS tertiles. RESULTS Among men and women combined, adjusted mean FiP concentrations were statistically significantly, proportionately 28.1% higher among those who were obese relative to those who were normal weight; among those in the highest relative to the lowest total nutrient intake tertiles, FiP concentrations were statistically significantly lower by 9.8% for carotenes, 13.6% for lutein/zeaxanthin, 10.9% for vitamin C, 12.2% for vitamin E, 11.5% for glucosinolates, and 5% for calcium. Of the various OBS, the weighted OBS that combined total nutrient intakes and lifestyle exposures was most strongly associated with FiP concentrations: among those in the highest relative to the lowest total OBS, mean FiP concentrations were statistically significantly 29.7% lower (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Multiple dietary and lifestyle characteristics, individually, and especially collectively, may contribute to systemic oxidative stress.
A Review of Sexual Homicide: Patterns and Motives

This is an exciting book. Written by two Special Agents of the FBI and a Professor of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, it presents in detail extensive data concerning 36 convicted, incarcerated sexual murderers. Primarily for law enforcement personnel, this volume provides an excellent perspective of criminal personality profiling, a technique developed by the FBI to help identify, apprehend, and convict violent criminal offenders. The authors demonstrate many ways in which these techniques have assisted in the apprehension, identification, and conviction of offenders. They show the social, environmental, and behavioral antecedents to sexual homicides; the relationship between the crime and the surroundings; the motivation leading to the criminal behaviors; and the factors assessed in legal and psychiatric investigations. These myriad elements ultimately cohere leading to criminal conviction and incarceration.
Routing and Embeddings in Super Cayley Graphs

In this paper, we introduce super Cayley graphs, a class of communication-efficient networks for parallel processing. We show that super Cayley graphs can embed trees, meshes, hypercubes, as well as star, bubble-sort graphs, and transposition networks with constant dilation. We also show that algorithms developed for star graphs can be emulated on suitably constructed super Cayley graphs with asymptotically optimal slowdown, under several communication models. Basic communication tasks, such as the multinode broadcast (MNB) and the total exchange (TE), can be executed in suitably constructed super Cayley graphs in asymptotically optimal time. Moreover, no interconnection network with similar node degree can perform these communication tasks in time that is better by more than a constant factor than that required in suitably constructed super Cayley graphs.
Student Perceptions of Content on Oppression

ABSTRACT MSW students∗ perceptions of oppression, especially as it is taught in the Methods of Direct Practice sequence, were evaluated through qualitative and quantitative analysis. Findings revealed that students had knowledge of specific oppressed groups, especially racial and ethnic minorities, but were unable to link this group-specific understanding to the overall influence of oppression on the lives of people. The classroom environment, especially the perception of the professor as vulnerable/oppressed, was important in students' perceptions of their ability to integrate and address this content.
Reliable Broadcast in Synchronous and Asynchronous Environments (Preliminary Version)

This paper studies the problem of reliable broadcast of a sequence of values in a system subject to processor failures. We consider three failure models — crash, in which a processor may stop executing at any time, send omission, in which processors may intermittently fail to send messages and general omission, in which processors may intermittently fail to send and receive messages — in both synchronous (the “round model”) and asynchronous systems. In contrast to the Byzantine Generals formulation of reliable broadcast, the problem we consider can be solved for asynchronous systems. In synchronous systems, we first present an algorithm tolerant of crash failures, and use translation techniques to derive algorithms tolerant of send omission failures and general omission failures. For asynchronous systems, we present simple algorithms tolerant of all three failure models.
Methylenecyclohexane and N,N‐Dimethylhydroxylamine Hydrochloride

Methylenecyclohexane and N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride reactant: 49.4 g. (0.35 mole) of N,N-dimethylcyclohexylmethylamine product: methylenecyclohexane product: N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride Keywords: oxidation, R3N R3NO; thermal decomposition reactions (pyrolytic reactions); catalysts, metal, palladium black, preparation; evaporator, rotary
Equivalent measures of dependence

Abstract The maximal correlation between a pair of σ-fields A and B becomes arbitrarily small as sup{| P ( A ⋔ B ) − P ( A ) P ( B )|/[ P ( A ) P ( B )] 1/2 , A ∈ A , B ∈ B , P ( A ) > 0, P ( B ) > 0} becomes sufficiently small.
Immunolocalization of collagenase inhibitor in normal skin and basal cell carcinoma

Human collagenase inhibitor is a ubiquitous glycoprotein capable of blocking the action of several connective tissue metalloproteinases, including collagenase, gelatinase, and proteoglycanase. The action of this proteinase inhibitor may constitute a pivotal step in the control of connective tissue matrix degradation. Using monospecific antibody to collagenase inhibitor as an immunocytochemical probe, we determined its in vivo localization in normal human skin and in a pathologic state, the altered connective tissue stroma surrounding basal cell carcinoma. Collagenase inhibitor was localized diffusely throughout the dermis and appeared to be associated with the extracellular matrix components, both in normal skin and in basal cell carcinoma. Intense staining was present in the stroma surrounding islands of basal cell carcinoma. The increased amounts of collagenase inhibitor may be a result of its production by stromal fibroblasts stimulated by cytokines of tumor or inflammatory cell origin. These findings are similar to those previously described for dermal collagenase. Both collagenase inhibitor and collagenase itself appear to be normal components of the extracellular matrix, and amounts of both are increased in the altered stroma surrounding neoplastic cells. Thus we suggest that the balance of degradative proteinase(s) to specific inhibitor may be an important factor in determining the composition of the extracellular matrix.
Optimal resistance training: comparison of DeLorme with Oxford techniques.

Objective Progressive resistive exercises, such as the DeLorme or Oxford techniques, improve strength by adding weights to arrive at the ten-repetition maximum (10RM; DeLorme) or by starting at the 10RM and removing weight (Oxford). The goal of this study was to examine the efficacy of each training method. Design In this randomized, prospective, group design, evaluator-blind clinical trial, 50 subjects performed either the Oxford or DeLorme weight-training techniques. Three times a week for 9 wks, subjects completed three sets of ten-repetition knee extensions based on the 10RM measured weekly. Incremental or decremental changes in training weight were utilized in training sessions based on the protocol randomly assigned to each subject. Results The mean 10RM increase was 71.9 kg for the DeLorme group and 67.5 kg for the Oxford group, which was not significantly different. Examination with repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance revealed no significant difference between the two groups for 10RM increase, and no significant sex differences were found. Percentage change scores were not significantly different for 1RM and 10RM for both protocols and sexes. Conclusion Both protocol groups were able to complete their lifting assignments and progressed similarly in weekly 10RM weight lifted. It can be concluded that both the DeLorme and Oxford protocols improve strength with equivalent efficacy. Further studies involving a larger sample size are needed to address potential sex-specific changes in strength improvement in response to the protocols.
A large scale characterization of RO-PUF

To validate the effectiveness of a Physical Unclonable Function (PUF), it needs to be characterized over a large population of chips. Though simulation methods can provide approximate results, an on-chip experiment produces more accurate result. In this paper, we characterize a PUF based on ring oscillator (RO) using a significantly large population of 125 FPGAs. We analyze the experimental data using a ring oscillator loop delay model, and quantify the quality factors of a PUF such as uniqueness and reliability. The RO-PUF shows an average inter-die Hamming distance of 47.31%, and an average intra-die Hamming distance of 0.86% at normal operating condition. Additionally, we intend to make this large RO frequency dataset available publicly for the research community.
Soft lithography fabricated polymer waveguides and 45° inclined mirrors for card-to-backplane optical interconnects

Polymer waveguides with 45° mirrors are fabricated by vacuum assisted microfluidic (VAM) soft lithographic technique for card-to-backplane optical interconnect applications. Waveguide array structures with inclined surfaces in SU-8 photoresist for PDMS mold are fabricated by prism assisted UV exposure. Sample surface reflected UV light is utilized to eliminate undercut structures and to accomplish the inclined mirror surfaces on both ends of the straight waveguide segments by one-step UV exposure. Polymer waveguides with 45° embedded mirrors demonstrated about 0.49 dB/cm propagation loss and 67% mirror coupling efficiency.
Discrete finite element method for multiple deformable bodies

Abstract A numerical technique for the static and dynamic large deformation analysis of multiple interacting deformable bodies is proposed. The method combines the capabilities of the finite element method to model continuum with the flexibility of the discrete element method to model interactions among multiple bodies. Each body is treated as an individual discrete unit, which is idealized as a finite element mesh. Individual bodies may undergo large displacements, rotations and strains. Interactions among deformable bodies occur through contact stresses distributed over the actual area of contact. Contact stresses are continually updated as the bodies move and deform. The proposed method of analysis models the deformability of bodies accurately in a general and very effective manner and allows determination of stresses within individual units. The formulation of the method, including computational aspects of its implementation, is discussed in the paper. Examples are presented to illustrate the application of the proposed discrete finite element method.
Failure of exogenous gonadotrophin controlled ovulation to cause digit abnormalities in mice.

GONADOTROPHINS have been used for many years in laboratory work to induce ovulation in animals at specific convenient times1–5. An injection of pregnant mare serum (PMS) induces follicular growth, and if this is followed by an injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) the mature follicles are ovulated at a predictable time. There are a few suggestions in the literature that this practice may lead to abnormalities in the offspring of the treated females6–8. In particular, Elbling8 reported that abnormalities in the digits and an altered sex ratio were found in litters born to gonadotrophin-treated female mice. As the practice of inducing ovulation by these means is widespread in research and is of practical importance in swine husbandry, we felt that this claim against PMS and HCG should be evaluated. We therefore repeated part of the experiment performed by Elbling8, with slight modifications, in that we did not study postnatal survival but observed digit normality, sex ratio and litter size in two stocks of mice in an effort to detect the influence that different genetic backgrounds may have in the response to exogenous gonadotrophins. We found no abnormalities in the digits or altered sex ratio in the offspring.
Generalized Least-Squares Adjustment, a Timely but Much Neglected Tool

A considerable amount of work has been done to make least-squares adjustment a more versatile tool, and it is the purpose of this article to give brief descriptions of all generalized least-squares adjustment techniques that have been developed so far. Algorithms have been established which will allow one to work with problems in which any number of (possibly correlated) observations occurs explicitly in any of the nonlinear condition equations, and in which at least a subset of the adjustment parameters may be known to be samples from a multivariate normal distribution with known covariance matrix but unknown modes. Furthermore, “filtering” algorithms have been developed which allow one to take advantage of previous results in finding revised adjustments when either the set of observations, or the set of adjustment parameters or both have been augmented over the sets on which the previous adjustment was based. The most recent generalization, in which the condition equations are not available explicitly but only through the differential equations whose solutions they are, was presented during this Colloquium. (Kallrath et al.,1992)
Children's adaptive behavioural competence after head injury

Abstract Eighty-six children were evaluated in a cross-sectional study 1 to 3 years after hospitalization for closed head injury in order to ascertain the effects of head injury severity, age, and chronicity of injury on the development of adaptive behavioural competence as measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Twenty-three subjects had sustained moderate to severe injuries and 63 had sustained mild injuries, based on neurosurgical criteria including the Glasgow Coma Score, CT scans, and other medical variables. It was hypothesised that severity of head injury would adversely affect overall adaptive competence. It was also predicted that social competence would be less well developed in children with moderate to severe injury than in those with mild injury. Study findings provided partial support for these hypotheses. An unavoidable confounding of age and gender resulted in the decision to examine the data by gender to determine whether the data could be analysed without regard for this facto...
Concept neurons: A proposed developmental study

A neurophysiological experiment is proposed to determine the existence of visual object concept neurons. The basic technique is to deprive newborn animals of all visual experience with the exception of a small number of objects exposed one at a time in a Ganzfeld. Such a demonstration would be important in extending the range of validity of the principle of specific neuron encoding.
Enhanced Histopathology of the Spleen

The spleen is the largest secondary lymphoid organ, is considered the draining site for compounds that are administered intravenously, and is therefore considered an important organ to evaluate for treatment-related lesions. Due to the presence of B and T lymphocytes, the immunotoxic effects of xenobiotics or their metabolites on these cell populations may be reflected in the spleen. Therefore it is one of the recommended organs to evaluate for enhanced histopathology of the immune system. The two major functional zones of the spleen are the hematogenous red pulp and the lymphoid white pulp (periarteriolar sheaths, follicles and marginal zones). For enhanced histopathology, these splenic compartments should be evaluated separately for changes in size and cellularity, and descriptive rather than interpretive terminology should be used to characterize any changes (Haley et al., 2005). Moreover, germinal center development within the lymphoid follicles should be noted as increased or decreased.
Mining distributed databases for attribute definitions

The paper focuses on discovery of knowledge needed to establish the shared meaning of attributes in a network of distributed autonomous databases. In this paper, we concentrate on the role of equations as definitions of attribute values. We briefly describe various applications of such definitions, including predictions, knowledge verification, intelligent query answering and several others. We present an interface between a distributed autonomous knowledge system, DAKS, and a discovery system 49er. To find knowledge useful in defining attributed missing in one database, the discovery mechanism of 49er can be applied to other databases. DAKS makes requests for definitions and then manages the discovered definitions, verifies their consistency and applies them in its query- answering mechanism. To put a system of equation-based attribute definitions on a firm theoretical foundation, we introduce semantics, which justifies empirical equations in their definitional role. This semantics augments the earlier developed semantics for rules used as attribute definitions.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mesenteric revascularization: management and outcomes in the United States, 1988-2006

Background Recent reports have suggested that angioplasty, with and without stenting (PTA/S), may have a lower perioperative mortality rate than open surgery for revascularization of acute (AMI) and chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). It is unclear if there has been nationwide adoption of this methodology or whether there is actually a mortality benefit. Methods We identified all patients undergoing surgical (bypass, endarterectomy, or embolectomy) or PTA/S mesenteric revascularization from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1988 to 2006. A diagnosis by International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revisioncoding of AMI or CMI was required for inclusion. We evaluated trends in management during this period and compared in-hospital death and complications between surgical bypass and PTA/S for the years 2000 to 2006. Results From 1988 to 2006, there were 6342 PTA/S and 16,071 open surgical repairs overall. PTA/S increased steadily, surpassing all surgery for CMI in 2002. PTA/S for AMI has also increased and surpassed bypass in 2002 but has not surpassed all surgical procedures for AMI even in 2006. The mortality rate was lower after PTA/S than after bypass for CMI (3.7% vs 13%, P Conclusion PTA/S is being used with increasing frequency for revascularization of CMI and AMI. The lower in-hospital mortality rate for patients, as they are currently being selected, shows that PTA/S is appropriate therapy for selected patients with CMI. Longitudinal data are needed to determine the durability of this benefit. The greater proportion of patients undergoing bowel resection with bypass for AMI suggests a more advanced level of ischemia in this group, making comparison with PTA/S difficult. However, PTA/S may be useful in selected patients with AMI and appropriate anatomy. Further data with greater detail regarding symptomatology and anatomy will clarify appropriate patient selection.
The role of hydrogen in corrosion fatigue of high purity Al-Zn-Mg exposed to water vapor

Corrosion fatigue tests were performed on samples of a high purity Al-Zn-Mg alloy in humid nitrogen gas after pre-exposure to either vacuum or humid air. The results of these tests were compared to the results of fatigue tests performed in dry nitrogen, used as an inert reference environment, after the same pre-exposure treatments. The pre-exposure times were calculated by assuming that bulk diffusion of hydrogen was the rate limiting process in either hydrogen adsorption or desorption. Water vapor in the testing environment resulted in reduced fatigue lives; however, pre-exposure to humid air was just as detrimental as water vapor in the test environment. The pre-exposure embrittlement effect of humid air was found to be completely reversible when the samples were stored in a vacuum long enough to remove hydrogen, assuming a bulk diffusion coefficient of 1 x 10-13 m2/sec. These results confirm the hypothesis that the reduced fatigue lives of Al-Zn-Mg alloys in water vapor is due to hydrogen embrittlement.
Supported liquid‐phase catalytic membrane reactor–separator for homogeneous catalysis

A new configuration of a membrane reactor-separator for homogeneous catalysis is described that is designed not only to encapsulate the catalyst solution, but to simultaneously separate the product from reactant. It is composed of a porous support layer that is impregnated partially or completely with the liquid-phase catalyst and is sandwiched between two different membranes. Membrane 1 is readily permeable to the reactant but not to the product, whereas membrane 2 allows free permeation of both the reactant and the product while encapsulating the catalyst solution. The performance of a differential stirred-cell membrane reactor-separator was theoretically investigated for the case of a first-order irreversible reaction. The extent of product separation was studied as a function of membrane permselectivity for reactant and product, the difference in resistance of membrane and catalyst layer, liquid loading of the catalyst layer, and the sweep fluid flow rate. The efficacy of the device was experimentally demonstrated using ethylene hydroformylation with hydridocarbonyltris (triphenyl phosphine) Rh(I) catalyst dissolved in dioctyl phthalate solvent.
Characterization of a 4-amino-4:6-dideoxy aldohexose from Chromobacterium violaceum.

A new deoxy amino sugar has been isolated from lipopolysaccharide obtained from Chromobacteriumviolaceum NCTC 7917 (Smith and Wheat, 1962; Smith, etal., 1962). Another deoxy compound, D-fucosamine (2-amino-2:6-dideoxy-D-galactose) had been previously isolated from this organism by Crumpton and Davies (1958). In contrast to fucosamine, however, the new amino sugar did not react in assays for 2-amino-sugars (Smith, etal., 1962). The new compound has now been obtained in crystalline form making it possible to start structural analyses. Evidence is presented here which indicates the compound to be a 4-amino-4:6-dideoxy-aldohexose. A preliminary report of this work has been given (Wheat and Rollins, 1962).
Computers as clinicians: an update.

Abstract Computers as clinicians entered medical settings relatively recently, but with limited success because they lack general intelligence—that is, though they can be experts in domain specific specialties, they cannot yet deal with clinical problems never before encountered. SOAR, a novel AI computer programming architecture, can learn from past encounters with prior problems and can generalize its learning to new ones. It may therefore take computers to a higher level of clinical performance.
Regulation of lipid metabolism in in vitro cultured minimal deviation hepatoma 7288C.

Hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells (derived from minimal deviation hepatoma 7288C) were cultivated in a complete medium containing either glucose, fructose or glycerol as the primary carbon source. Growth was rapid on glucose and very low on fructose containing media. Glycerol did not support any growth. Glucose-14C (U) and fructose-14C (U) are incorporated into the total lipid fraction of HTC cells. However the level of conversion of glucose into lipid is much greater than fructose. Tritiated water is rapidly incorporated into the saponifiable and nonsaponifiable lipid fractions of growing HTC cells. The level of incorporation is greater than that observed with glucose-14C (U) and the difference is constant over the experimental period studied. Lipoprotein poor serum (LPPS) isolated from a calf-fetal calf serum mixture (1∶1) supported growth at a similar rate as the unfractionated serum combination (DS). However the total lipid and total cholesterol content of the fractionated serum was one sixth and one fiftieth the level found in the whole serum mixture, respectively. The level of incorporation of glucose-14C (U), acetate-14C (U) and tritiated water into the nonsaponifiable fraction of HTC cells grown on LPPS was 3 to 8-fold greater than that for DS. However mevalonate-2-14C incorporation was stimulated only 1.3 to 1.7-fold. In general there was a much smaller response in the level of incorporation of radioactive metabolites into the saponifiable lipids. From these studies and additional data, it was tentatively concluded that HTC cells can respond to nutritional pertubations caused by changes in the exogenous lipid content. It was not determined if the apparent responsiveness in the lipids of the nonsaponifiable fraction is due to “feedback control” or some other regulatory mechanism.
Visual estimation of pulse pressure variation is not reliable: a randomized simulation study

Pulse pressure variation (PPV) can be monitored several ways, but according to recent survey data it is most often visually estimated (“eyeballed”) by practitioners. It is not known how accurate visual estimation of PPV is, or whether eyeballing of PPV in goal-directed fluid therapy studies may limit the ability to blind the control group to PPV value. The goal of this study was to test the accuracy of visual estimation of PPV. Using a simulator program designed by the authors that runs on a PC, 20 residents and 19 attendings were shown five arterial pressure waveforms each with different PPV values (range 1–30 %) moving at one of three sweep speeds (6.25, 12.5, or 25 mm/s) and asked to determine the PPV. There was a weak but significant relationship between true PPV and eyeball PPV (r 2 = 0.22; p < 0.01). The agreement between true PPV and eyeball PPV was 3.3 ± 8.7 %. The mean percent error was 122 %. The rate of correct response group classification was 65 %. Mean percent error was higher the faster the waveform sweep speed (130 % at 25 mm/s vs. 117 % at 6.25 mm/s), and correct responsiveness classification lower (58 % at 25 mm/s vs. 69 % at 6.25 mm/s). The results from this study show that eyeballing the arterial pressure waveform in order to evaluate pulse pressure variation is not accurate.
Inconsistent suppression of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and serum melatonin levels in rats exposed to pulsed DC magnetic fields.

The purpose of these experiments was to determine whether the exposure of rats at night to pulsed DC magnetic fields (MF) would influence the nocturnal production and secretion of melatonin, as indicated by pineal N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity (the rate limiting enzyme in melatonin production) and pineal and serum melatonin levels. By using a computer-driven exposure system, 15 experiments were conducted. MF exposure onset was always during the night, with the duration of exposure varying from 15 to 120 min. A variety of field strengths, ranging from 50 to 500 microT (0.5 to 5.0 G) were used with the bulk of the studies being conducted using a 100 microT (1.0 G) field. During the interval of DC MF exposure, the field was turned on and off at 1-s intervals with a rise/fall time constant of 5 ms. Because the studies were performed during the night, all procedures were carried out under weak red light (intensity of <5 microW/cm2). At the conclusion of each study, a blood sample and the pineal gland were collected for analysis of serum melatonin titers and pineal NAT and melatonin levels. The outcome of individual studies varied. Of the 23 cases in which pineal NAT activity, pineal melatonin, and serum melatonin levels were measured, the following results were obtained; in 5 cases (21.7%) pineal NAT activity was depressed, in 2 cases (8.7%) studies pineal melatonin levels were lowered, and in 10 cases (43.5%) serum melatonin concentrations were reduced. Never was there a measured rise in any of the end points that were considered in this study. The magnitudes of the reductions were not correlated with field strength (i.e., no dose-response relationships were apparent), and likewise the reductions could not be correlated with the season of the year (experiments conducted at 12-month intervals under identical exposure conditions yielded different results). Duration of exposure also seemed not to be a factor in the degree of melatonin suppression. The inconsistency of the results does not permit the conclusion that pineal melatonin production or release are routinely influenced by pulsed DC MF exposure. In the current series of studies, a suppression of serum melatonin sometimes occurred in the absence of any apparent change in the synthesis of this indoleamine within the pineal gland (no alteration in either pineal NAT activity or pineal melatonin levels). Because melatonin is a direct free radical scavenger, the drop in serum melatonin could theoretically be explained by an increased uptake of melatonin by tissues that were experiencing augmented levels of free radicals as a consequence of MF exposure. This hypothetical possibly requires additional experimental documentation.
Virus-lymphocyte interactions.

Several aspects of virus-lymphocyte interactions have been reviewed. Some form of lymphocyte activation is required for the replication of viruses that infect the lymphocyte exogenously or are activated from proviral genetic information contained within the host cell genome. Other factors that help determine the outcome of virus–lymphocyte interaction include the population or even sub-population of the infected lymphocytes and their state of differentiation. Such factors may determine whether a lymphocyte is killed, whether virus may persist within the lymphocyte, what type of functional alteration might occur, or whether a differentiated function, such as antibody formation, may be fixed and perpetuated. Activation of viruses from lymphocytes may have important implications in situations when there is heightened immunological activity such as the immunosuppressed state or in situations where T-cell suppressor restraints are compromised as in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Genetic and Serologic Analysis of Black Creek Canal Virus and Its Association with Human Disease and Sigmodon hispidus Infection

Black Creek Canal (BCC) virus is a newly identified virus associated with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the southeastern United States. Nucleotide sequences were determined for the complete S and M and partial L genomic segments of a BCC virus isolate. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that each of the virus segments is unique, and there is no evidence of genetic reassortment having occurred between this and other previously characterized hantaviruses. All hantavirus-seropositive, wild-caught Sigmodon hispidus which were tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of BCC virus RNA were found to be positive, consistent with a chronic virus infection. This finding, together with serologic evidence, confirms S. hispidus as the primary rodent reservoir of this virus. Nucleotide sequence analysis of these PCR products indicates that BCC virus is genetically diverse and may pose a public health threat throughout much of the extensive range of this rodent species. Immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated the presence of G1-, G2-, and N-specific antibodies in sera from BCC virus-infected patients with HPS and naturally infected S. hispidus. Comparison of the patterns of protein immunoprecipitation obtained with human acute- and convalescent-phase sera suggests that G1- and G2-specific antibodies increase relative to N-specific antibodies during the course of infection. The ratio of G1 to N protein immunoprecipitation by rodent or human acute-phase sera allowed differentiation of BCC and Sin Nombre virus infections.
Problem-Based Learning in Introductory American Politics Classes

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered learning model used heavily in the natural sciences. By supplying students with contextualized problems and stopping short of handing them the tools to solve the problems, instructors take on the role of facilitator rather than expert. Use of PBL in political science, and more generally the social sciences, has been limited, while research on the effectiveness of PBL on student learning in political science has been even scarcer. The authors explore the design and implementation of PBL exercises in an introductory American Politics and Government class. A range of topics are discussed including problem design, overcoming instructor and student reluctance, content coverage compared to a traditional survey course model, and PBL as a tool to improve information literacy. Assessment of the use of PBL is provided through measures of student satisfaction and learning outcomes. The results suggest that PBL should be considered as a viable pedagogical tool in pol...
Liquid-liquid extraction of cadmium by sodium diethyldithiocarbamate from biological matrixes for isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

A published procedure for the liquid−liquid extraction of Cd by sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (NaDDC) was modified and tested on 12 biological matrixes of plant and animal origin for use with isotope dilution (ID) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). The tested matrixes were reference materials, certified for Cd, and a feces in-house standard. The digested and extracted standards were analyzed for Cd stable isotopes by ICPMS and the resulting isotope ratios examined for isobaric and polyatomic interferences. Cadmium recoveries, after extraction, ranged from 73% to 20% and apparently were inversely related to Cd concentration, even in the presence of excess chelator. For each reference material, the measured isotope ratios for Cd were corrected for instrumental bias and compared to natural abundance Cd isotope ratios. Nonextracted samples had large isotope ratio deviations for all but one or two ratios. Extraction improved all the isotope ratios measured (lowered % error relative to natura...
Influence of Sulfur Metalation on the Accessibility of the NiII/I Couple in [N,N‘-Bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctanato]nickel(II): Insight into the Redox Properties of [NiFe]-Hydrogenase

A redox model study of [NiFe] hydrogenase has examined a series of five polymetallics based on the metalation of the dithiolate complex [1,5-bis(mercaptoethyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane]Ni(II), Ni-1. Crystal structures of three polymetallics of the series have been reported earlier: [(Ni-1)2Ni]Cl2, [(Ni-1)2FeCl2]2, and [(Ni-1)3(ZnCl)2]Cl2. Two are described here: [(Ni-1)2Pd]Cl2·2H2O crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c with cell constants a = 12.212(4) A, b = 7.642(2) A, c = 16.625(3) A, β = 107.69(2)°, V = 1443.230(0) A3, Z = 2, R = 0.051, and Rw = 0.056. [(Ni-1)2CoCl]PF6 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with cell constants a = 8.14(2) A , b = 13.85(2) A , c = 15.67(2) A, α = 113.59(10)°, β = 101.84(14)°, γ = 94.0(2)°, V = 1561.620(0)A3, Z = 2, R = 0.072, and Rw = 0.077. In all Ni-1 serves as a bidentate metallothiolate ligand with a “hinge” angle in the range 105−118° and Ni−M distances of 2.7− 3.7 A. The most accessible redox event is shown by EPR and electrochemi...
Hemicholinium-3 mustard reveals two populations of cycling choline cotransporters in Limulus

Abstract Cholinergic neurons have both a low-affinity and a high-affinity choline transport process. The high-affinity choline transport is sodium dependent and thus it can be referred to as choline cotransport. Choline cotransport has been shown to be up-regulated by neuronal activity. Protein kinase C has also been shown to regulate choline cotransport. Both forms of regulation appear to modulate transport by altering the numbers of choline cotransporters in the nerve terminal membrane. The present study centers on choline cotransporter trafficking in Limulus brain hemi-slice preparations. The competitive, reversible, non-permeant ligand, [3H]hemicholinium-3, was used in binding studies to estimate the relative number of choline cotransporters in plasma membranes. The hemicholinium-3 mustard derivative has been shown to be an irreversible, highly selective, non-permeant ligand for the choline cotransporter, and was also used. Hemicholinium-3 mustard binding to the choline cotransporter blocked [3H]choline transport and [3H]hemicholinium-3 binding. Antecedent elevated potassium exposure of cholinergic tissues has been shown to up-regulate choline transport by the recruitment of additional choline cotransporters to surface membranes. This treatment was also effective in the recruitment of cotransporters following maximal inhibition by hemicholinium-3 mustard of brain hemi-slices. Long-term washout of hemicholinium-3 mustard in hemi-slices resulted in a time-dependent restoration of choline cotransport. Full recovery occurred within 2 h. In uninhibited slice preparations, both staurosporine and chelerythrine, protein kinase C inhibitors, stimulated choline uptake. However, within a 1-h washout recovery of uptake following hemicholinium-3 mustard inhibition, the staurosporine responsive but not chelerythrine responsive transport had returned. On the basis of these findings, we hypothesize the existence of two distinct populations of cycling choline cotransporters, which includes inactive or “silent” transporters.
Clinical examination of the ruminant nervous system.

Practical and rapid physical examination techniques that allow the clinician to neuroanatomically localize the site of disease to the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem/cranial nerves, or spinal cord/peripheral nerves are described. The physical examination methods discussed in this article can be performed easily and quickly and do not require any specialized or expensive equipment to perform.
Survival of mammalian B104 cells following neurite transection at different locations depends on somal Ca2+ concentration.

We report that cell survival after neurite transection in a mammalian neuronal model (cultured B104 cells) critically depends on somal [Ca2+]i, a novel result that reconciles separate long-standing observations that somal survival decreases with more-proximal axonal transections and that increased somal Ca2+ is cytotoxic. Using fluorescence microscopy, we demonstrate that extracellular Ca2+ at the site of plasmalemmal transection is necessary to form a plasmalemmal barrier, and that other divalent ions (Ba2+, Mg2+) do not play a major role. We also show that extracellular Ca2+, rather than injury per se, initiates the formation of a plasmalemmal barrier and that a transient increase in somal [Ca2+]i significantly decreases the percentage of cells that survive neurite transection. Furthermore, we show that the increased somal [Ca2+]i and decreased cell survival following proximal transections are not due to less frequent or slower plasmalemmal sealing or Ca2+ entry through plasmalemmal Na+ and Ca2+ channels. Rather, the increased somal [Ca2+]i and lethality of proximal neurite injuries may be due to the decreased path length/increased diameter for Ca2+ entering the transection site to reach the soma. A ryanodine block of Ca2+ release from internal stores before transection has no effect on cell survival; however, a ryanodine- or thapsigargin-induced buildup of somal [Ca2+]i before transection markedly reduces cell survival, suggesting a minor involvement of Ca2+-induced release from internal stores. Finally, we show that cell survival following proximal injuries can be enhanced by increasing intracellular Ca2+ buffering capacity with BAPTA to prevent the increase in somal [Ca2+]i. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 137–153, 2004
Gender Differences in a Randomized Controlled Trial Treating Tobacco Use Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Mental Health Concerns

Author(s): Prochaska, Judith J; Fromont, Sebastien C; Ramo, Danielle E; Young-Wolff, Kelly C; Delucchi, Kevin; Brown, Richard A; Hall, Sharon M | Abstract: IntroductionTreatment of tobacco use in mental health settings is rare despite high rates of comorbidity. With a focus on early intervention, we evaluated a tobacco treatment intervention among adolescents and young adults recruited from outpatient, school-based, and residential mental health settings and tested for gender differences.MethodsIntervention participants received computerized motivational feedback at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months and were offered 12 weeks of cessation counseling and nicotine patches. Usual care participants received a self-help guide and brief cessation advice. We examined 7-day point prevalence abstinence with biochemical confirmation at 3, 6, and 12 months; smoking reduction; and 24-hr quit attempts.ResultsAt baseline, the sample (N = 60, 52% female, mean age = 19.5±2.9 years, 40% non-Hispanic Caucasian) averaged 7±6 cigarettes/day, 62% smoked daily, 38% smoked ≤ 30 min of waking, 12% intended to quit in the next month, 47% had a parent who smoked, and 3 of 5 of participants' closest friends smoked on average. During the 12-month study, 47% of the sample reduced their smoking, 80% quit for 24 hr, and 11%, 13%, and 17% confirmed 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up, respectively, with no differences by treatment condition (ps g .400). Over time, abstinence was greater among girls (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 8.9) than among boys, and abstinence was greater for lighter smokers than heavier smokers (AOR = 4.5) (p l .05). No mental health or other measured variables predicted abstinence.ConclusionsAdolescent and young adult smokers with mental health concerns are a challenging group to engage and to effectively treat for tobacco addiction, particularly heavier smokers and boys. Innovative approaches are needed.
Effectiveness of fixed ratio punishment and durability of its effects

Hooded rats pressing a bar for food reward on a fixed interval schedule were shocked after every 1, 2, 4, or 8 responses with.6 ma shocks of.25,.50, or 1.0 sec. duration. All Ss eventually ceased responding. In retest sessions two weeks later, several Ss who had received the least frequent punishment were among those who did not resume bar pressing. Only for the shorter shock durations was partial punishment less effective than punishment for every response.
Sociocultural study of immigrant suicide-attempters: An ecological perspective

• Summary: This article discusses the findings of a qualitative study with a sample of suicide attempters in the Chinese immigrant community of New York City from an ecological perspective.• Findin...
REVIEW OF LIVERMORE'S SOFT X-RAY LASER PROGRAM

We will describe our optical laser pumped XUV Laser Program. To date, we have concentrated our efforts on exploding foil amplifier designs using Ne- and Ni-like n = 3p to 3s and n = 4f,d to 4,dp inversion schemes, respectively. We will describe our latest modeling results as well as measurements which demonstrate output power near the 1 MW level at 206 and 209 A and lasing at wavelengths as short as 106 A.
Empathy, Sympathy, and Tax Compliance

This paper examines the effect of "empathy" and "sympathy" on tax compliance. We run a series of laboratory experiments in which we observe the subjects' decisions in a series of one-shot tax compliance games presented at once and with no immediate feedback. Importantly, we employ methods to identify subjects' sympathy, such as the Davis Empathic Concern Scale and questions about frequency of prosocial behaviors; we also use priming in order to promote subjects' empathy. Our results suggest that the presence of sympathy in most cases encourages more tax compliance. Our results also suggest that priming to elicit empathy also has a positive impact on tax compliance. These results support the inclusion of noneconomic factors in the analysis of tax compliance behavior.
Applying models of visual search to map display design

We explored how to use a computational model of visual search to design a map of a mall directory. We parameterized the Guided Search model [Wolfe, J.M., 1994. Guided Search 2.0: a revised model of visual search. Psychonomic Bulletin and Review 1(2), 202-238] for a task involving visual search of a target store in a map. The resulting model was then used to choose color assignments for all the elements of the display that would result in the fastest average search time for the display and search tasks. These predicted optimized color assignments were then tested empirically. The empirical data closely matched the predicted pattern of search times. We conclude that computational models of visual search are sophisticated enough to contribute to the development of optimized map designs, discuss some limitations of the current models, and suggest directions for further development.