cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing a Brief Self-as-Context Exercise to Control-Based and Attention Placebo Protocols for Coping with Induced Pain

Of the several processes that purportedly contribute to psychological flexibility, that of enhancing self-as-context, or transcendent perspective taking, has been the least investigated. To address this omission, we conducted two analogue studies with college student participants examining the relative impact of a brief exercise for enhancing the contextual self on pain tolerance (n = 22) by comparing it to control-based (n = 22) and attention-placebo (n = 22) protocols. In Study 1, the self-as-context intervention was a generic one that we modified only slightly from the “observer exercise” presented in Hayes, Strosahl, and Wilson (1999, pp. 193–195). Significant, but equivalent, increases in pain tolerance as assessed by the cold pressor were obtained for the three protocols, with the largest effect size noted for the control-based condition. In Study 2, we compared a self-as-context protocol (N = 22) that was contextualized to the experience of pain to data from Study 1. The contextualized intervention significantly increased pain tolerance compared to the generic self-as-context and attention-placebo conditions of Study 1. The increase was statistically equivalent to that obtained for the control-based condition of Study 1, but represented a greater effect size, suggesting that the relative impact of a generic self-as-context exercise is increased when contextualized to a specific psychological challenge. We discuss the implications of these findings for future research investigating the impact of interventions targeting self-as-context within both analogue and clinical research.
The Effect of Oral Iodide on Serum Butanol-Insoluble Protein-Bound Iodine in Various Species

It is possible that there is an association between the butanol-insoluble protein-bound iodine developed in plasma when potassium iodide is fed and the reduction of serum and hepatic cholesterol. This fraction constitutes most of the protein-bound iodine increase observed in iodide-fed rabbits, dogs, rats and hypertensive human beings. It appears a few days after iodide feeding is begun and disappears four to eight weeks after discontinuing iodide. The dose required to produce minimum and maximum concentrations has been determined in all of these animals and in men. Further, it was found that hypothyroidism reduced the iodide requirement to one-tenth that necessary to produce comparable amounts of butanol-insoluble protein-bound iodine in normal animals.
Effect of Increased Levels of Ovarian Hormones and Duration of Treatment on the Experimental Induction of Growth of the Cow's Udder,

Summary Mammary gland growth was induced experimentally by daily injection of 200mg. of progesterone with 200 μ g. of estradiol benzoate or by the feeding of 20mg. of diethylstilbestrol daily for periods of 60, 120, and 180 days to 20 heifers and one steer. Lactation was then initiated by daily injections of 0.3mg. of estradiol benzoate per 100lb. body weight for 14 days. Treatment for 180 and 120 days apparently did not stimulate any greater mammary gland growth than 100mg. of progesterone and 100 μ g. of estradiol benzoate injected daily for 180 days, used in previous studies. The average maximum daily milk yields for the 16 animals on the lower level of hormones was 22.7lb. per day, compared with the maximum daily milk yield of 23.8 and 21.2lb. for the 14 animals treated for 180 and 120 days, respectively, with the higher level of estrogen and progesterone. The mean maximum daily milk yield for the six heifers injected for 60 days was 10.2lb. The average maximum daily milk yield for the three lowest producers was 3.9lb., compared with 21.4lb. per day for the three highest producers of this group. Twenty milligrams of diethylstilbestrol administered orally proved equally as effective as 200 μ g. of estradiol benzoate injected subcutaneously in synergizing with 200mg. of progesterone injected daily to stimulate mammary gland development. When the lactation curve of the experimental heifers began to decline after reaching their maximum milk yield, either estradiol benzoate at the level used to initiate lactation or the feeding of diethylstilbestrol at levels of 30 and 40 mg/day/100lb. body weight was administered for seven days. During the week of administration, milk yield declined slightly. This was followed by a variable increase in milk yield for several weeks, reaching peaks of lactation, in some cases, above the initial maximum production.
A scalable switched-capacitor filter implemented in 1.25- mu m technology

An experimental fifth-order, elliptic, PCM filter designed and fabricated in 1.25- mu m technology to investigate the scalability of switched-capacitor filters is discussed. The prototype has been experimentally evaluated and meets all D3 requirements. The filter, which was realized in a silicon area of 510 mil/sup 2/, is compared with previous filter implementations. >
Expression of a carboxy-terminal region of the β-amyloid precursor protein in a heterogeneous culture of neuroblastoma cells: evidence for altered processing and selective neurotoxicity

Abstract Six independent clonal isolates from a morphologically heterogeneous human neuroblastoma cell line stably expressed several products of the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) from an introduced DNA construct; the “substrate-adherent” phenotype (fibroblast-like cells) predominated in all 6; these displayed immunoreactivity of vimentin, but little to no reactivity of neuron-specific enolase. A stably transfected isolate which did not show any expression from the identical construct (presumably because of a position effect) exhibited the predominantly neuronal phenotype of the parental cells (neuron-specific enolase positive). These results suggest selective neurotoxicity of the expressed products. Two of the 6 stably expressing cell lines showed a decrease of native mRNA for APP to levels that were 1 4 - 1 3 that of the parental cells and a decrease of their growth rates to half that of the parental cells; these decreased growth rates were improved by conditioned medium from the parental cell line. Western blot analysis revealed at least four distinct fragments of the COOH-terminus of APP in the isolate which expressed protein and mRNA in greatest abundance, suggesting that overexpression of APP in a human neural cell line leads to aberrant cleavage of APP.
Nitrogen isotope composition of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. T‐5) grown under ammonium or nitrate nutrition

Studies that quantify plant δ15N often assume that fractionation during nitrogen uptake and intra-plant variation in δ15N are minimal. We tested both assumptions by growing tomato (Lycopersicon esculetum Mill. cv. T-5) at NH4+ or NO−3 concentrations typical of those found in the soil. Fractionation did not occur with uptake; whole-plant δ15N was not significantly different from source δ15 N for plants grown on either nitrogen form. No intra-plant variation in δ15N was observed for plants grown with NH+4. In contrast. δ15N of leaves was as much as 5.8% greater than that of roots for plants grown with NO−3. The contrasting patterns of intra-plant variation are probably caused by different assimilation patterns. NH+4 is assimilated immediately in the root, so organic nitrogen in the shoot and root is the product of a single assimilation event. NO−3 assimilation can occur in shoots and roots. Fractionation during assimilation caused the δ15N of NO−3 to become enriched relative to organic nitrogen; the δ15N of NO−3 was 11.1 and 12.9% greater than the δ15N of organic nitrogen in leaves and roots, respectively. Leaf δ15N may therefore be greater than that of roots because the NO−3 available for assimilation in leaves originates from a NO−3 pool that was previously exposed to nitrate assimilation in the root.
HIPS in action: Application of HIPS in research

The Human Information Processing Laboratory has developed and made available a software system called HIPS (Iuman Information Processing Laboratory’s /mage Processing System) for doing research in experimental psychology and image processing. The HIPS system offers modular flexibility and simplicity of use. Examples of how HIPS was used in carrying out research in visual information processing are provided. A description of how HIPS can be used for documentation purposes is also given.
Cariprazine in Bipolar Disorder: Clinical Efficacy, Tolerability, and Place in Therapy

Cariprazine is a dopamine D3-preferring D3/D2 receptor partial agonist in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of bipolar disorder (manic/mixed and depressive episodes), as well as for schizophrenia, and as an adjunctive agent for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Three phase 2 or 3, 3-week, randomized controlled trials in bipolar mania or mixed episodes have been completed and reported as poster presentations or in press releases by the manufacturer. Superiority over placebo on the Young Mania Rating Scale total score was evidenced for daily doses of cariprazine 3–12 mg/day. In short-term randomized controlled trials, cariprazine does not appear to adversely impact metabolic variables, prolactin, or the electrocardiogram (ECG) QT interval. The most commonly encountered adverse events in the mania trials were extrapyramidal disorder, akathisia, insomnia, vomiting, restlessness, sedation, vision blurred, and pain in extremity in the phase 2 trial where this was presented in a poster, and akathisia, extrapyramidal disorder, tremor, dyspepsia, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, somnolence, restlessness, and pyrexia for the phase 3 trial where this was presented in a poster. With the exception of akathisia and extrapyramidal disorder, the differences in incidence versus placebo for these events were generally small. If approved by regulatory authorities, cariprazine would join aripiprazole as the second dopamine receptor partial agonist antipsychotic available for clinical use in persons with bipolar mania or mixed episodes. Cariprazine differs from aripiprazole in terms of dopamine D3 receptor selectivity. Further studies would be helpful to discern the distinguishing features of cariprazine from other antimanic agents.
Advances in electrical and mechanical cardiac mapping

Cardiac mapping—recording cardiac activity during electrophysiological testing—has evolved into an indispensable tool in studying the cardiac excitation process, analysing activation patterns, and identifying arrhythmogenic tissue. Cardiac mapping is a broad term that is used here to encompass applications that record electrical or mechanical activity of the heart or both. In recent years, simultaneous and sequential electrical mapping methods have been combined with direct mechanical measurements or imaging techniques to acquire information regarding both the electrical and mechanical activity of the heart (electromechanical mapping) during normal and irregular cardiac behavior. This paper reviews the emerging area of electromechanical mapping from the point of view of the applicable technology, including its history and application.
Thermal stability of Cr–Cr3Si eutectic microstructures

Abstract The thermal stability of Cr–Cr3Si lamellar eutectic composites was investigated at temperatures up to 1400 °C. In drop-cast Cr–Cr3Si, coarsening was found to be interface controlled. The coarsening rate could be reduced by microalloying with Ce and Re, two elements which were chosen because they were expected to segregate to the Cr–Cr3Si interfaces. Similarly, directional solidification, which is also expected to lower the Cr–Cr3Si interfacial energy, was found to dramatically decrease the coarsening rate.
Economy driven content dissemination in Delay Tolerant Networks

Abstract Majority of the existing Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) routing protocols attempt to minimize the message delay, forwarding count, or required storage. However, for many DTN applications such as distributing commercial content, targeting the best performance for only one index and neglecting the others is insufficient. A more practical solution would be to strike a balance between multiple of those performance indices. This paper introduces a Gain-aware Dissemination Protocol (GDP) which attempts to reach the maximum economic gain of content delivery by maintaining a balance between the value achieved via message delivery and the involved forwarding costs given out as user rebates. Economic gain from disseminating content is defined as the generated value upon content delivery minus its forwarding costs. The key concept behind the proposed protocol is to adaptively balance between dissemination latency and forwarding costs in order to maximize the economic gain. Using the DTN simulation software ONE, we characterize the GDP protocol with varying mobility models, content sources, and content generation times.
The role of communication systems in emergency medical services

The important role that land mobile communication systems play in the effective operation of an emergency medical services (EMS) system is discussed. The need for EMS systems, classification of types of communication subsystems, FCC Rules and Regulations for EMS, what to do before designing communication systems, and examples of several systems are given.
Hospitalization during advancing chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background: The care of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with substantial costs to society, much of which is accounted for by a high rate of hospitalization. However, the influence of declining kidney function on hospitalization as ESRD approaches is not well understood. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of national data to evaluate the frequency of hospitalizations among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who reached ESRD and had at least 2 years of Medicare eligibility before initiation of dialysis therapy. The study period for each patient extended from 2 years before to 6 months after the initiation of dialysis therapy. Results: The study cohort was composed of 109,321 patients with a mean age of 75 years, all of whom initiated long-term dialysis therapy between 1995 and 1998. Mean hospitalization rate was 134 hospitalizations/1,000 patient-months at risk (PMAR). Hospitalization rates gradually increased as ESRD approached, peaking in the 3 months immediately after the initiation of dialysis therapy at 487 hospitalizations/1,000 PMAR. Cause-specific hospitalization rates mirrored this trend and were greatest for placement of vascular access and diagnoses related to cardiovascular (CVD) and infectious disease. Conclusion: Hospitalizations during CKD become more frequent with the approach of ESRD. The majority of these hospitalizations, both before and after the initiation of dialysis therapy, are caused by comorbidity related to CKD. These hospitalizations may be favorably impacted on by heightened attention to the prevention and management of CVD and timely placement of vascular access during CKD.
Psychosocial Adjustment Over a Two–Year Period in Children Referred for Learning Problems: Risk, Resilience, and Adaptation

Children with learning difficulties have an increased prevalence of psychosocial adjustment problems. We hypothesized that within the context of a risk and resilience model contextual variables influence adjustment, over and above any effects of academic performance. The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) was used to evaluate the relationship between psychosocial adjustment, changes in academic skills, and contextual factors longitudinally over a two–year period in 100 children (ages 7 to 11) referred for learning problems. Although there was little improvement in academic skills, contextual factors contributed to observed psychosocial outcome. Different factors were salient for parents, teachers, and children. Context–derived vulnerability and protective factors can be important determinants of adjustment in children with learning problems, even though the academic difficulties can remain chronic.
Functional morphology of the caudal skeleton in teleostean fishes

The basic function of the caudal skeleton in teleostean fishes is to support the caudal fin, but its parts contribute to this function in somewhat different ways. The main axis for this support is the upturned terminal end of the vertebral column, which ends at the base of the uppermost principal rays. The uroneural struts just ahead of this axis provide support for it. The parts of the caudal skeleton behind and below this upturned axis, the hypurals and parhypural, not only support the caudal rays but also provide a means for differential movements between the upper and lower parts of the fin base. This basic caudal skeleton varies with the position of the fish in the sequence of teleosten evolution, the way in which the fish uses its caudal fin, and to some extent with the shape of the fin.
The Optimal Locus Approach With Machining Applications

An optimal locus concept is introduced as the basis for an optimization methodology for real-time control subject to time-varying constraints. The optimal locus in the control plane contains all possible optimum points, and the actual point is found at the intersection of the optimal locus with the most limiting constraint. The mathematical basis of the approach is a given set of equations which is less than the number of unknowns, and the addition of real-time measurements to compensate for the missing information. The control system generates the optimal parameters in real time, and uses them as references to the control loops. The optimization methodology and control architecture are structures in a generalized way for application to processes having multiple variables and subject to several constraints. The proposed controller architecture can effectively control many machining processes. The optimal locus approach was applied to a grinding system and the experimental results verify the proposed theory.
Wintering Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker Time Activity Budgets in East Texas Bottomland Hardwood Forests

We developed time-activity budgets for 286 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus varius) from October 2005/2006 to March 2006/2007 in east Texas bottomland hardwood forests. Behaviors were similar between genders and study sites (P. 0.05), but varied (P 5 0.008) between years. Sapsuckers spent more time foraging upon arrival in wintering areas and during morning throughout the study periods. Deviation from monthly average low temperature was an important (P 5 0.038) covariate during the second study year, when sapsuckers increased time spent foraging during colder than average temperatures and increased time perching on days with warmer than average temperatures. Sapsuckers partitioned about half their time foraging (early in the day) and half their time perching (later in the day). Sapsuckers may have little physiological need for drastic behavioral adjustments to successfully meet nutritional demands during winter in areas with mild climates. Received 28 June 2008. Accepted 28 January 2009. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) is a migratory woodpecker that winters in the southeastern United States, through east and south Texas, Mexico, the West Indies, and south to northern South America (Walters et al. 2002). Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers excavate and maintain horizontal rows of sap wells on tree trunks throughout the year (Erdmann and Oberg 1974, Eberhardt 2000). Northernmost (i.e., regions that regularly freeze) wintering individuals forage mainly on arthropods in tree bark, frozen fruit, and sap. Further south (i.e., regions that irregu- larly freeze), individuals drill and forage upon sap wells (Tate 1973, Williams 1980) on hickories (Carya spp.), oaks (Quercus spp.) (Speights 2007), and elms (Ulmus spp.) (Wilkins 2001).
Behaviorally induced sensitivity to the discriminable properties of LSD.

Rats were initially trained to discriminate LSD from saline in two-lever operant chambers by reinforcing responses only on one lever following intraperitoneal injections of 80 Μg/ kg of LSD and only on the other lever following saline injections. Choice responding during extinction periods (no water reinforcement for either response) indicated a high level of discriminability (95% correct) following either LSD or saline. A dose-response curve for LSD, obtained by tests for lever choice after injections of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 Μg/kg, indicated that 10 Μg/kg produced only 30% responding on the LSD lever. This percentage was increased (to 83%) by reinforcing responding on the LSD lever following injections of 10 Μg/kg. Subsequent tests indicated that doses of 5.0 and 2.5 Μg/kg produced a majority of responses on the LSD lever. Since at these low doses LSD has few measurable biochemical or behavioral effects, we hypothesize that the discriminable cue of LSD is related to direct stimulation of central serotonergic receptors.
Negative magnetoresistance and localized spins in InSb

Abstract It is proposed that the low field negative magnetoresistance in InSb and other semimetals may be explained by a combination of s-d scattering and an effect noted in the previous work of Benford and Dworin. The formation of H - impurities in such semimetals may also lead to a negative magnetoresistance.
Recovery and identification of Pasteurella multocida from mammals and fleas collected during plague investigations.

During the 12-yr period, 1973–1984, 243 isolates of Pasteurella multocida were recovered or identified from specimens submitted for plague tests. Of the isolates, 79% were from rodents, 10% from lagomorphs, and 7% from carnivores; eight isolates were recovered from pools of rodent or carnivore fleas, and two were recovered from cat-bite wounds of human patients. No correlations of host or geographic sources, season, or biotypic or serotypic characteristics were found. Of the rodent strains serotyped, most were found to be serotypes 1A or 3A, which suggests a possible epizootiologic role for rodents in outbreaks of avian cholera that commonly involve these serotypes.
Biphasic effects of ethanol tested with drug discrimination in HAD and LAD rats.

Seventh-generation selectively bred high-alcohol-drinking (HAD) and low-alcohol-drinking (LAD) rats were trained to make differential responses for ethanol (0.75 g/kg, IP) and saline vehicle, following postadministration intervals (PI) of 2 min (HAD-2 and LAD-2 animals) and 30 min (HAD-30 and LAD-30 animals). ED50 values of 0.395 and 0.352 g/kg, respectively, for HAD-2 and LAD-2 animals and 0.269 and 0.314 g/kg, respectively, for HAD-30 and LAD-30 animals reflect the absence of any phenotypic difference for the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol. HAD-2 animals were more responsive than LAD-2 animals to the stimulating effects of ethanol as measured by total response rates during training sessions. The differential ethanol response generalized to pentobarbital in all four groups but not to morphine, an alternative CNS depressant. The specific antagonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine3, receptors, 3-tropanyl-3,5-dichlorobenzoate (MDL 72222), up to doses of 14.0 mg/kg failed to antagonize the discriminative effects of ethanol. Ethanol sleep times did not differ between groups.
Changes in southern Piedmont grassland community structure and nutritive quality with future climate scenarios of elevated tropospheric ozone and altered rainfall patterns

Forage species common to the southern USA Piedmont region, Lolium arundinacea, Paspalum dilatatum, Cynodon dactylon and Trifolium repens, were established in a model pasture system to test the future climate change scenario of increasing ozone exposure in combination with varying rainfall amounts on community structure and nutritive quality. Forages were exposed to two levels of ozone [ambient (non-filtered; NF) and twice ambient (2×) concentrations] with three levels of precipitation (average or ±20% of average) in modified open-top chambers (OTCs) from June to September 2009. Dry matter (DM) yield did not differ over the growing season between forage types, except in primary growth grasses where DM yield was higher in 2× than NF treatment. Primary growth clover decreased in nutritive quality in 2× ozone because of increased concentrations of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Re-growth clover exhibited the largest decrease in nutritive quality, whereas grasses were not adversely affected in 2× ozone. Re-growth grasses responded positively to 2× ozone exposure, as indicated in increased relative food value (RFV) and percentage crude protein (CP) than NF-exposed re-growth grasses. Effects of precipitation were not significant over the growing season for primary or re-growth forage, except in primary growth grasses where DM yield was higher in chambers with above average (+20%) precipitation. Total canopy cover was significantly higher over the growing season in chambers receiving above average precipitation, but no significant effects were observed with ozone. Results indicate shifts in plant community structure and functioning related to mammalian herbivore herbivory in future climate change scenarios.
The orientation and electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone chemisorbed on platinum electrodes in various weakly surface-active supporting electrolytes

Abstract Studies on the adsorption, orientation and electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone at smooth polycrystalline Pt electrodes in aqueous solutions of weakly surface-active electrolytes are reported. The electrolytes were compared with respect to how they influenced (i) the packing density vs. concentration curves, (ii) the oxidation n -values ( n ox ), and (iii) the packing density vs. electrode potential plots. Analytical measurements were based on thin-layer electrochemical methods. Six electrolytes were studied: HClO 4 (and NaClO 4 ), H 2 SO 4 , H 3 PO 4 , NaF, NaPF 6 , and CsClO 4 . No significant electrolyte- or pH-dependences were found for thevs. c adsorption profiles. The n ox data for η 6 - and η 2 -orientations likewise were unaffected by changes in supporting electrolyte, although n ox was slightly lower at pH=7 than in 1 M H + . Changes in packing density with electrode potential correlate closely with adsorption of hydrogen (at 9 E E >0.40V); weak but noticeable features at E >0.20 V are consistent with the expected variation in specific adsorption of anions of supporting electrolyte.
Strongyloides stercoralis in bronchoalveolar lavage specimen processed as Prussian Blue Stain

Strongyloidiasis is an infectious disease caused by the nematode helminth, Strogyloides stercoralis. Subjects immunosuppressed, immunocomprised, or on steroids are susceptible to hyperinfection and dissemination. Early detection of parasitic infection in such individuals is extremely important as disseminated Strongyloidiasis is potentially fatal. Here, we present a case of Strongyloidiasis initially detected by Prussian blue stain of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimen from an immunosuppressed patient who was treated with prednisone for acute interstitial nephritis and developed hemoptysis.
Production and propagation of cylindrically polarized Laguerre–Gaussian laser beams

The x-polarized and y-polarized beam modes of simple confining circularly symmetric spherical-mirror laser resonators may be represented with Laguerre–Gaussian functions. The corresponding r- and ϕ-polarized beam-mode profiles are found to be represented by a different Laguerre–Gaussian mode set. Though similar in name, these cylindrically polarized modes are fundamentally different from their rectangularly polarized counterparts. For example, the fundamental x-polarized mode is Gaussian, which has a maximum at the center of the beam, while the fundamental ϕ-polarized mode has a null at the beam center. The complete propagation characteristics of several types of azimuthally polarized Laguerre–Gaussian beams through optical systems representable by complex ABCD matrices are obtained. Cylindrically polarized Laguerre–Gaussian beams may be produced by inserting the appropriate Brewster window into a simple confining circularly symmetric laser resonator.
4D dynamic simulation of patients undergoing radiotherapy

Recently with the advent of linear accelerators equipped with on-board x-ray imagers and advanced medical imaging technologies, image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) has been routinely used in the radiotherapeutic management of cancers worldwide. However, as ionizing radiation is involved, the radiation exposures from the medical imaging procedures are of major concerns to the cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. In this work, we propose to develop a realistic yet flexible 4D digital phantom based on patient CT anatomy and time-tagged CT information for dynamic estimation of organ doses due to external ionizing radiation. All the external ionizing radiation involved in the radiotherapy of cancer patients will be modeled consistently and systematically with Monte Carlo multiple source models. Our studies indicated that it is feasible to build a 4D patient-specific digital phantom suitable for Monte Carlo radiation transport simulation. With a digital phantom for each patient, an accurate estimation of the organ doses in 4D will be made possible, which will contribute to a better tumor control due to the detailed knowledge of dose distributions in patient anatomy not only spatially but also temporally. The proposed 4D phantom will also allow for deformable dose registration for adaptive radiotherapy.
A Guide to Overseeding Warm-Season Perennial Grasses with Cool-Season Annuals

Overseeding warm-season perennial grasses with cool-season annuals in the southeastern U.S. has many benefits. Because the growing seasons overlap in autumn, management practices to reduce the warm-season grass competition are necessary for early cool-season forage production. Cool-season forage production and distribution is dependent on species, seeding rates, and planting methods. Growing seasons also overlap in spring which delays spring recovery of the warm-season grass.
A modeling approach for understanding effects of powder flow properties on tablet weight variability

Abstract In this paper we focus on the effect of cohesion and compression speed on the outcome of the compression process for both monodisperse and polydisperse granular systems. A three dimensional discrete element model (DEM) which incorporates static and dynamic friction is used in this study to simulate die filling, and the compaction and decompaction of cohesive granular system in a confined cylindrical die similar to those used in a commercial tablet press driving the pre-compressive stage. The magnitude of the cohesive force is represented in terms of a parameter K = Fcohes/mg, where K is called the bond number and is the measure of cohesiveness. Force displacement curves are used to characterize the compression and deformation properties of the materials and are obtained by measuring the force on the upper punch and the corresponding displacements in the die. Results show that a considerable more energy is needed to compress the cohesive material as compared to free flowing materials. It is found that the time required to fill the die strongly depends on the cohesion of the material. The energy for the tableting process is directly proportional to the upper punch speed.
Horizontal transmission of a microsporidium from the convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), to three coccinellid species of Nova Scotia

Abstract Convergent lady beetles, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, are a popular choice for aphid control in North America. An unidentified microsporidium was found in H. convergens adults that were purchased from a commercial insectary in 2004. This study examined egg cannibalism and egg predation as a means of horizontal transmission of the unidentified microsporidium among H. convergens larvae and three coccinellid species found in Nova Scotia: Coccinella septempunctata (seven-spotted lady beetle), C. trifasciata perplexa (three-banded lady beetle), and Harmonia axyridis (multicolored Asian lady beetle). The microsporidium was transmitted with 100% efficiency when first instars fed on microsporidia-infected eggs. Mean spore count data from smear preparations of infected beetles suggest that the infection was as heavy in C. trifasciata perplexa (a native coccinellid) (11.2 ± 0.96 spores/100 μm 2 ) as it was in H. convergens (the natural host) (12.8 ± 1.16) but lighter in the introduced species C. septempunctata (7.5 ± 0.65) and H. axyridis (0.8 ± 0.11). For all of the beetle species examined, larval development was significantly longer for microsporidia-infected individuals than for their uninfected cohorts. The microsporidium had no effect on larval mortality. Based on the results of this study, field-collected H. convergens should be examined for microsporidia and uninfected individuals should be used to rear individuals for release in biological control programs. However, this is unlikely to happen because H. convergens are relatively easy and inexpensive to collect from their overwintering sites for redistribution.
Endoscopic mucosal ablation for the treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia with the HALO90 system: a pilot study.

Background Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) often results in GI bleeding and chronic anemia. Treatment options are limited and include medical, endoscopic, and surgical therapies. Objective To assess the utility of endoscopic mucosal ablative therapy by using the HALO 90 system for patients with GAVE and recurrent bleeding. Design Prospective open-label case series. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients Six consecutive patients with GAVE, bleeding, and blood transfusion dependence. Main Outcome Measurements Comparison of preablation and postablation Hb levels and transfusion requirements. To assess the number of ablation sessions needed to stabilize the Hb level and eliminate the need for blood transfusion. Results Six patients, (4 men, mean age 58 years, range 47-65 years) underwent endoscopic mucosal ablation of antral lesions (mean procedure time 29 minutes; mean treatments 1.7, range 1-3). The mean Hb level improved from 8.6 to 10.2 g/dl (mean 2 months after the last ablation). Five of 6 patients are no longer dependent on blood transfusions to maintain a stable Hb level. Limitations This is a pilot study, with a small number of patients at a single center, with limited patient follow-up. Conclusions This study suggests that endoscopic mucosal ablation by using the HALO 90 system is a promising treatment option for chronic bleeding related to GAVE.
Lipopolysaccharide Induces Alveolar Macrophage Necrosis via CD14 and the P2X7 Receptor Leading to Interleukin-1α Release.

Acute lung injury (ALI) remains a serious health issue with little improvement in our understanding of the pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches. We investigated the mechanism that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces early neutrophil recruitment to lungs and increases pulmonary vascular permeability during ALI. Intratracheal LPS induced release of pro-interleukin-1α (IL-1α) from necrotic alveolar macrophages (AM), which activated endothelial cells (EC) to induce vascular leakage via loss of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin. LPS triggered the AM purinergic receptor P2X7(R) to induce Ca2+ influx and ATP depletion, which led to necrosis. P2X7R deficiency significantly reduced necrotic death of AM and release of pro-IL-1α into the lung. CD14 was required for LPS binding to P2X7R, as CD14 neutralization significantly diminished LPS induced necrotic death of AM and pro-IL-1α release. These results demonstrate a key role for pro-IL-1α from necrotic alveolar macrophages in LPS-mediated ALI, as a critical initiator of increased vascular permeability and early neutrophil infiltration.
Epiphytic bacteria: development of a method for determining respiring bacteria on leaves

A method was developed for studying the total numbers and the proportion of active bacteria on leaf surfaces. It involves staining gelatin impressions of leaves treated with an electron transport system indicator, 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium chloride (INT). The method is rapid, inexpensive and allows simultaneous observation of numbers, ecology and respiratory activity of epiphytic bacteria. The total numbers of epiphytic bacteria for four species of aquatic plants varied between 0.6 to 10.2 times 106/cm2. The proportion of active bacteria on leaves of aquatic plants ranged from 2.2 to 42.9%. The method was also applied to a comparison of surface fouling of glass slides and aquatic leaf surfaces, indicating significant differences in numbers of bacteria but little difference in the proportion active on the two surfaces.
Sexual dimorphic effects of chronic phencyclidine in rats

The behavioral effects of phencyclidine (PCP) were studied in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats to determine if chronic infusions would result in sexually dimorphic effects. Rats were trained to make operant responses for food during 30-min response periods that occurred 4 times each day. After attaining stable baseline behaviors, 10 mg of PCP/kg/day was infused s.c. for 10 days. Females were more profoundly affected than males. In the females, response rates were suppressed to 30-71% of control rates during the first 7 days of infusion. In contrast, response rate in male rats never fell below 77% of control during the infusion period. By the eighth infusion day both sexes had become tolerant to these behavioral effects. After stopping infusions there was clear evidence that behavioral dependence had developed; however, the abstinence effects in males and females were similar. Saturation studies of [3H]dizocilpine (MK-801; (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine) binding to brain membranes were conducted to determine if there were sex-dependent receptor differences. There were no significant differences in Kd +/- S.D. (7.6 +/- 1.5 and 7.1 +/- 0.9 nM for males and females, respectively) or Bmax +/- S.D. (4.1 +/- 0.2 and 4.0 +/- 0.5 pmol/mg protein for males and females, respectively).
Depresión a una edad avanzada: tratamiento basado en la evidencia y nuevos caminos prometedores para la investigación y la práctica clínica

Resumen A medida que aumente la edad de la poblacion, las cohortes sucesivas de adultos de edad avanzada sufriran trastornos depresivos. La depresion a una edad avanzada comporta un riesgo adicional de suicidio, comorbilidad medica, discapacidad y carga de los familiares cuidadores. Aunque las tasas de respuesta y de remision con la farmacoterapia y la terapia electroconvulsiva son comparables en los pacientes con depresion a una edad media de la vida, las tasas de recaida son mas altas, lo cual subraya la dificultad que comporta alcanzar y mantener un estado de bienestar. En este articulo se revisa la base de evidencia existente respecto a las opciones de tratamiento de la depresion en el anciano y se presenta un analisis de las opciones terapeuticas disponibles para las variantes dificiles de tratar (p. ej., depresion psicotica, depresion vascular). Se revisan tambien los algoritmos de tratamiento basados en los factores predictivos de la respuesta, asi como las nuevas opciones terapeuticas prometedoras.
Densities of Compressed Liquid Methane, and the Equation of State.

A paper with 22 refences gives experimental PVT data for liquid methane at densities from 1.8 times critical up to the freezing liquid, at temperatures from 91-245 K, and pressures to 350 bar; a nonanalytic equation of state is adjusted to these and other PVT data from ideal gas states to the freezing liquid, at temperatures from the triple point to 400 K.
Drugs in the classroom: A historical approach to drug education

This article suggests various techniques and strategies for integrating historical research methods into the drug education classroom. While most criminal justice programs offer courses on drug education, instruction has typically concentrated on policy issues. With little historical perspective on the roots of the drug problem, students are too often left with a one-dimensional perspective: that all illegal drug use should be criminalized. Like many recent historical events, the roots of the drug problem remain a distant abstraction to the current generation of criminal justice students. A historical approach to this subject using historiographic methods can lead to a better understanding of the cyclic nature of the U. S. drug problem and policies over the past century.
Similarities in the bandedge and deep-centre photoluminescence mechanisms of ZnO and GaN

Abstract Several of the optical transitions in ZnO and GaN appear to derive from a similar origin and have considerable overlap in the energy regions where they occur. In particular the donor-acceptor pair transitions and the well known “yellow band” in GaN and the analogous “green band” in ZnO show remarkable similarities. Because of these similarities it is likely that the respective transitions in the two materials are defect related and share common mechanisms.
SPINAL CORD STIMULATION : A QUARTER CENTURY OF DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTIGATION : A REVIEW OF ITS DEVELOPMENT AND EFFECTIVENESS IN 1,336 CASES

The past two and a half decades have seen the development of a spinal cord stimulator from the early 2-electrode fixed system to the present multielectrode computerized systems. During these 25 years, spinal cord stimulation has been studied in the treatment of motor disorders. The effectiveness was studied in 1,336 cases, including cerebral palsy (456), dystonia (173), torticollis (90), multiple sclerosis (130), spinocerebellar degeneration (71), spinal cord injury (303) and posttraumatic brain injury (113). It has become increasingly evident that the maximum therapeutic effect is achieved by virtue of the applied field variables of the spinal cord level stimulated, the field configuration, its polarity, and the frequency of the stimulation. These observations have led to investigational corollaries of the therapeutic specificity of the applied field, the neurophysiologic mechanisms of these fields and the underlying abnormal neurophysiologic substrate, which may indeed be secondary to abnormalities in the nerve impulse itself.
Serum resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Does it thwart the inflammatory response and facilitate the transmission of infection

N. gonorrhoeae differentially subvert the effectiveness of complement (C) and alter the inflammatory responses elicited in human infection. Disseminated (DGI) isolates typically resist killing by normal serum (are serum-resistant), inactivate more C3b (to iC3b preferentially bound via amide linkages), generate less C5a, and result in less inflammation at local sites. Pelvic inflammatory disease isolates are serum-sensitive, inactivate less C3b (while maintaining active C3b via stable amide linkages), generate more C5a, and result in more inflammation at local sites. Sialylation of SS gonococci, presumed to occur in vivo, converts them to serum-resistant, but it does not change the patterns of C3b inactivation and therefore may not affect local inflammation. IgG antibody directed against gonococcal reduction modifiable protein (Rmp) blocks C-mediated killing of N. gonorrhoeae. Anti-Rmp blocking antibodies may harbor specificity for OmpA sequences shared with other neisserial species or Enterobacteriaceae or may be directed against unique Rmp upstream cysteine loop specific sequences, or both. Preexisting antibodies directed against Rmp facilitate transmission of gonococcal infection to exposed women; exclusion of highly immunogenic Rmp antigens from vaccine candidates may be important.
Photodynamic therapy for cutaneous proliferative vascular tumors in a mouse model.

Photodynamic therapy with benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A and red light (PDT-BPD) has been used to treat human choroidal hemangiomas, and may be useful for cutaneous vascular lesions. The potential for PDT-BPD to inhibit selectively vascular tumor growth was tested in a mouse angiosarcoma model, of which the tumor growth mimics the proliferative phase of hemangiomas. Vascular tumors arising after intradermal injection of immortalized murine endothelial cells were exposed to 50 to 150 J per cm 2 of 690 nm laser light 15 min after intravenous injection of 1 mg per kg BPD. Tumor volume and gross response were followed after PDT-BPD and compared with control tumors receiving no treatment, light alone, or BPD alone. At 2 wk, hematoxylin-eosin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling stained tumor sections was performed. There was a selective, fluence-dependent inhibition of tumor growth after PDT-BPD (p≤0.05), typically with eradication of tumors exposed to higher fluences. A common effect was the replacement of tumor by small scar. Surrounding PDT-BPD exposed normal skin showed no changes. Based on these results, we conclude that PDT-BPD can lead to selective eradication of these tumors. Further studies investigating the efficacy of PDT-BPD for human hemangiomas are warranted.
SU-E-T-634: Convex Direct Aperture Optimization for Sliding Window IMRT.

Purpose: To introduce a convex Direct Aperture Optimization (DAO) technique for sliding window IMRT. This method combines the accuracy of aperture‐based dose calculations, which include leaf end effect, scatter, and leakage, with the convexity, and hence efficient solvability, of classic two phase IMRToptimization (fluence map optimization followed by sliding window leaf sequencing).Methods: Artificial pencil beam profiles used in fluence map optimization are replaced with sigmoid‐like profiles representing the dose “blocked” by a leaf while at some incremental position, per MU. More precisely, the profiles represent the dose from photons blocked minus that from photons leaked through or scattered by the leaf. These profiles can be computed by any clinically validated IMRT dose engine, and the scatter component for an individual leaf can be accurately included to the extent that it is independent of positions of other leaves. Variables of the resulting convex optimization are the MUs delivered while each leaf is at each incremental position. All constraints necessary to ensure a deliverable sliding window solution, such as those preventing leaf collision, are linear. Thus, provided the dose objective functions are convex, the entire IMRToptimization is convex, and therefore can be efficiently solved to provable optimality. Results: Our derivations prove that DAO is convex for sliding window IMRT, and we demonstrate the technique on a clinical prostate case. Conclusions: By moving from the standard idealized fluence beamlet approach to a‘fluence blocked by a leaf at position x’ approach, we fully convexify the sliding window IMRToptimization problem, and thus avoid the dose degradation observed in two‐step IMRToptimization and the non‐convexity of the traditionally posed DAO problem.
Evolving paradigms in the therapy of Philadelphia chromosome–negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults

Important studies challenging previous approaches to the treatment of adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have emerged in the past decade. Donor versus no donor comparisons of allogeneic transplant highlight a potent graft-versus-leukemia effect in ALL, and the application of reduced-intensity conditioning transplants may exploit this effect while reducing non-relapse mortality. The adoption of the use of pediatric intensity-type regimens in adolescents and young adults shows promise to improve outcomes in this population. New therapeutic targets such as mutations in NOTCH1 in T-cell ALL and CD22 in pre-B ALL are being exploited in clinical trials. The application of molecular techniques and flow cytometry to quantitate minimal residual disease will allow further stratification of patients by risk. Although the outcomes of adults with ALL lag behind the stunningly successful results seen in children, new paradigms and new discoveries bring hope that this disparity will steadily lessen.