cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of partial nerve injury on the responses of C-fiber polymodal nociceptors to adrenergic agonists

The effects of partial division of the great auricular nerve of adult rabbits were evaluated on the responsiveness of cutaneous C-fiber polymodal nociceptors (CPMs) to sympathetic stimulation (SS), close-arterial injections of epinephrine (EPI) and other alpha-adrenergic agonists. In normal unanesthetized rabbits, the two ears were usually at the same temperature. Two to 4 weeks after partial nerve lesions, however, the operated ear was cooler by 1-3 degrees C in the majority of animals, suggestive of increased vasoconstriction and possible denervation supersensitivity. Neither SS nor EPI (50 ng) excited CPM units (n = 23) from intact anesthetized animals. In contrast, 14-27 days after partial nerve lesions, SS (8 out of 38 units) and EPI (12 out of 38 units) were excitatory for a class of CPMs. There was notable variability in the response of different units and of a given unit between first and second trials. Responses consisted of 1-22 impulses for SS and 1-23 impulses for EPI in the 60 s following a trial. Arterial occlusion did not activate responsive units, suggesting that the excitation was not caused by vascular or temperature changes. Selective alpha2-adrenoceptor blockade with yohimbine (0.6-1.0 mg/kg i.v.) or rauwolscine (1.0 mg/kg i.v.) reversibly antagonized the effects of SS and EPI. EPI-responsive units were also excited by norepinephrine (50 ng) and guanabenz (10 microg) but not by clonidine (3 microg) or B-HT 933 (3 microg). The results suggest that circulating EPI, acting via an alpha-adrenoceptor subtype, can play a part in the development and/or maintenance of aberrant pain syndromes such as causalgia and other sympathetically related dystrophies.
Evidence of formation of a complex between GTP and elongation factor two and the binding of the complex to a specific site on mammalian ribosomes.

Abstract The function of EF 2 (transferase II) and GTP in translocation of peptidyl-tRNA by mammalian ribosomes has been explored. The formation of a complex between GTP and this factor was demonstrated by chromatography of EF 2 on Sephadex G-75 equilibrated with [ 3 H]GTP. Recovery of the complex on Millipore filters showed that the [ 3 H]GTP can be readily exchanged for unlabeled GTP, GDP or GDPCP, but not for ATP. Formation of the complex was not influenced by sulfhydryl reagents or cycloheximide, both of which affect translocation. Ribosomal binding of GTP in the presence of EF 2 was examined with ribosomes bearing peptidyl-tRNA at either the acceptor or donor sites, the location of the peptidyl-tRNA being confirmed by reaction with puromycin. EF 2-dependent binding of GTP occurred only when the peptidyl-tRNA was at the donor site. Release of the terminal phosphate of GTP during binding was also dependent on exposure of this specific binding site on the donor ribosomes, since it did not occur with acceptor ribosomes, but translocation of peptidyl-tRNA was not an obligatory requirement for GTP hydrolysis. It is concluded that free EF 2 first forms a complex with GTP that binds to the larger ribosomal subunit at a specific site which becomes occluded when peptidyl-tRNA is at the acceptor position on the ribosome and that hydrolysis of GTP on binding is also dependent on exposure of this site.
An electrochemical series of redox couples in silicate melts: A review and applications to geochemistry

An electrochemical series for redox couples in a glass-forming oxide melt is developed. This series is a quantitative numerical scale of reference reduction potentials of the redox couples in a silicate melt that is a model for basaltic magmas. The redox couples are ordered in terms of their reference reduction potentials; the order appears to be relatively independent of the exact melt composition and temperature. Thus, upon calibration to a desired composition, oxygen fugacity, and temperature, this electrochemical series can provide estimates of redox state proportions in basaltic magmas on different planetary bodies. The geochemical electrochemical series can also be used to understand the interrelationship of the redox state of the magma and the presence of volatile species such as oxygen, water, sulfur gases, and carbon gases.
Bombardment of α-quartz and related materials by argon (3 MeV) ions

Abstract The bombardment using argon ions of energy 3 MeV of several α-quartz isomorphous crystal structures has been carried out. Non-crystalline metamict forms have been obtained in all cases, using relatively low fluence. The metamict damage cross-sections D M obtained are: 3·l±0·3nm2 (GeO2), 2·7 ± 0·3nm2 (FePO4), 1·9 ± 0·4 nm2 (A1PO4), l·0±0·3nm2 (SiO2) and 0·7±0·3nm2 (GaPO4), and these values decrease with increasing melting points. Recrystallization is observed to occur at relatively low temperatures of less than 0·5 T m. These results are in contrast to earlier studies using fast-neutron irradiation, in which non-crystalline forms were obtained only for SiO2. This is probably due to annealing of the neutron damage for materials of lower melting point during the lengthy irradiation at the temperature of the atomic pile.
Loss of Beryllium from Aqueous Solution During Storage

Abstract A study has been made of the behavior of Be in solution during long term storage at low concentrations.
Effect of transcorneal pressure on small-angle light scattering from rabbit cornea

Abstract Small-angle light scattering (SALS) measurements from the central region of the rabbit cornea are presented. These measurements are unique since a transcorneal pressure is applied. The variation of the SALS patterns with pressure suggests that a new explanation of their origin should be considered. I + scattering changes markedly with the application of pressure and slight changes are also noted in I II scattering. At less than 1 mmHg pressure (‘zero’ pressure), the I + pattern is a five-lobed cloverleaf, with one lobe at 0° scattering angle, and the others oriented along the polarization directions with intensity maxima at 1.8° scattering angle. The intensity of this pattern decreases dramatically as the pressure increases and a second cloverleaf pattern, aligned at 45° to the polarization direction becomes apparent. It is suggested that the waviness of the corneal stroma lamellae, noted in electron micrographs of tissue fixed in the absence of pressure, be considered as the morphological feature responsible for the ‘zero’ pressure pattern. The second cloverleaf pattern may be associated with stromal cells.
Robustness of state-dependent queues and material handling systems

In many factory settings, performance modeling and optimisation of material handling systems (MHS) is a complex problem. State-dependent queueing models are effective and robust tools to capture this traffic congestion. The integration of state-dependent models of the material handling elements and finite queueing models of work stations is demonstrated. An important property of the state-dependent models when used to model the material handling elements is that they appear to be insensitive to the input distribution. Numerous topological network design (TND) problems and experiments are presented to show the effectiveness of state-dependent queueing models for TND/MHS design.
The neurological principle: how traditional Chinese medicine unifies body and mind

The unity of body and mind is an important concept in Chinese philosophy. Traditionally, the concept is informal and fuzzy, with no well defined meaning in the mathematical sense. This paper proposes a formal information–theoretical model for neural signal processing, arguing that physical principles are neural phenomena. For example, using the proposed model, the paper shows that time–dilation in Einstein's theory of relativity and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle can both be observed in neural signal processing. The paper therefore proposes a new concept, the neurological principle, which subsumes different natural principles. In particular, the paper shows that Yin and Yang, the two forces that according to Chinese philosophy pervade the universe and every entity therein, can be explained with the proposed model. These results provide Chinese medicine with a stronger mathematical foundation.
Video gaming and interconnected meanings: Nuanced learning beyond the screen

This article draws upon data from two separate qualitative studies of video gaming as a means to highlight the ways that diverse literacies work in concert to mediate adolescents' learning on and off the screen. The research suggests that the confluence of multimodal literacies that impact gaming can also affect more traditional practices. The nuances of video game and gamified learning provide insight into the innovative and dynamic elements that inform students' out-of- school learning and potential in-school applications.
Summaries, ranked retrieval and sessions: a unified framework for information access evaluation

We introduce a general information access evaluation framework that can potentially handle summaries, ranked document lists and even multi query sessions seamlessly. Our framework first builds a trailtext which represents a concatenation of all the texts read by the user during a search session, and then computes an evaluation metric called U-measure over the trailtext. Instead of discounting the value of a retrieved piece of information based on ranks, U-measure discounts it based on its position within the trailtext. U-measure takes the document length into account just like Time-Biased Gain (TBG), and has the diminishing return property. It is therefore more realistic than rank-based metrics. Furthermore, it is arguably more flexible than TBG, as it is free from the linear traversal assumption (i.e., that the user scans the ranked list from top to bottom), and can handle information access tasks other than ad hoc retrieval. This paper demonstrates the validity and versatility of the U-measure framework. Our main conclusions are: (a) For ad hoc retrieval, U-measure is at least as reliable as TBG in terms of rank correlations with traditional metrics and discriminative power; (b) For diversified search, our diversity versions of U-measure are highly correlated with state-of-the-art diversity metrics; (c) For multi-query sessions, U-measure is highly correlated with Session nDCG; and (d) Unlike rank-based metrics such as DCG, U-measure can quantify the differences between linear and nonlinear traversals in sessions. We argue that our new framework is useful for understanding the user's search behaviour and for comparison across different information access styles (e.g. examining a direct answer vs. examining a ranked list of web pages).
Using Technology in Autism Research: The Promise and the Perils

Entertainment technology could play a significant role in developing computing-based assessment tools that lead to improvements in the treatment of children with autism. The featured Web extra at http://youtu.be/j-uMKekzg8Q is an interview with editor Kelvin Sung discussing the topics and writing styles that work best if you're considering writing for the Entertainment Computing column.
Thermo-optical compensation in high-index-contrast waveguides

Thermo-optical compensation in high-index contrast waveguide system (a-Si on SiO2) is reported using different cladding materials. We experimentally demonstrate the thermo-optically compensated a-Si based racetrack ring resonators with an acrylate polymer cladding.
Altitudinal Precipitation Gradients in the Tropics from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar

AbstractA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) climatology shows variability in surface precipitation rate–elevation relationships across the tropics. Vertical profiles of radar reflectivity and profiles of specific humidity and cross-barrier moisture fluxes during precipitation events from the Interim European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Re-Analysis reveal four precipitation regimes with distinct precipitation mechanisms: 1) a tropical regime with a broad precipitation maximum at ~1500 m where convection is triggered by orographic lifting; 2) a trade winds regime with a near–sea level precipitation maximum dominated by forced ascent due to prevailing winds and the presence of dry air aloft; 3) a wet monsoon regime with a low-elevation precipitation maximum driven by efficient precipitation generation, large low-level cross-barrier moisture fluxes, and multiple convective modes; and 4) a dry monsoon regime with a high-elevation precipitation maximum reflecting intense convection and st...
EFFECTS OF A PROCEDURE DERIVED FROM THE OVERCORRECTION PRINCIPLE ON MANIPULATED AND NONMANIPULATED BEHAVIORS

Positive practice overcorrection has been shown to be effective in reducing stereotypic self-stimulatory behaviors displayed by retarded and autistic individuals. In addition, the procedure also may increase the occurrence of appropriate behavior through intensive practice. In the present study, several stereotypic and one appropriate behavior (appropriate toy play1 displayed by two autistic children were measured before and during treatment by a positive practice in appropriate toy play overcorrection procedure. Overcorrection was introduced for each of the targeted inappropriate behaviors in sucession for both children. Results showed that overcorrection reduced all stereotypic behaviors displayed by both children. In addition, one subject displayed marked increases in the behavior practiced during overcorrection, appropriate toy play, relative to its baseline rate of occurrence. The results indicate that for some individuals, overcorrection may be effective in teaching and motivating appropriate forms of behavior as well as in reducing stereotypy.
Novel photochemical reaction of 2-(2-alkynyl)acetophenones initiated by tyep II abstraction

Abstract Irradiation of 5a and 5b in methanol leads to formation of the diastereomeric methoxy alcohols 8a and 9a , and 8b and 9b , respectively. These reactions can be understood as involving tyep II abstraction of γ hydrogen, 1,5 cyclization of the resulting biradical 6 to form vinyl carbene 7 (as 1 → 2 ), and then carbene insertion into the hydroxyl group of solvent methanol.
Molecular mechanisms of T cell co-stimulation and co-inhibition

Co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptors have a pivotal role in T cell biology, as they determine the functional outcome of T cell receptor (TCR) signalling. The classic definition of T cell co-stimulation continues to evolve through the identification of new co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptors, the biochemical characterization of their downstream signalling events and the delineation of their immunological functions. Notably, it has been recently appreciated that co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptors display great diversity in expression, structure and function, and that their functions are largely context dependent. Here, we focus on some of these emerging concepts and review the mechanisms through which T cell activation, differentiation and function is controlled by co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptors.
The nuclear factor HMGB1 mediates hepatic injury after murine liver ischemia-reperfusion

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear factor that is released extracellularly as a late mediator of lethality in sepsis as well as after necrotic, but not apoptotic, death. Here we demonstrate that in contrast to the delayed role of HMGB1 in the systemic inflammation of sepsis, HMGB1 acts as an early mediator of inflammation and organ damage in hepatic ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. HMGB1 levels were increased during liver I/R as early as 1 h after reperfusion and then increased in a time-dependent manner up to 24 h. Inhibition of HMGB1 activity with neutralizing antibody significantly decreased liver damage after I/R, whereas administration of recombinant HMGB1 worsened I/R injury. Treatment with neutralizing antibody was associated with less phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and higher nuclear factor–κB DNA binding in the liver after I/R. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-defective (C3H/Hej) mice exhibited less damage in the hepatic I/R model than did wild-type (C3H/HeOuj) mice. Anti-HMGB1 antibody failed to provide protection in C3H/Hej mice, but successfully reduced damage in C3H/Ouj mice. Together, these results demonstrate that HMGB1 is an early mediator of injury and inflammation in liver I/R and implicates TLR4 as one of the receptors that is involved in the process.
Effect of estrone and progesterone on the nuclear uptake of estradiol by slices of human endometrium.

Slices of human endometrium were superfused with buffer solutions of tritiated estradiol (E2), alone or mixed with progesterone (P) or 14C-labeled estrone (E1). The concentrations of P and E1 in the medium were 10–50 times larger than the concentration of E2. P did not reduce the saturation level of nuclear E2. E1 was converted intracellularly to E2 and lowered the nuclear binding of 3H-E2. However, the total amount of E2 bound to the nuclei was not affected by the addition of E1 to the medium, as determined by measuring the amounts of 3H-E2 and 14C-E2 in nuclei. The levels of nuclear E2 obtained by superfusion of secretory endometrium with excess E2 were lower than the levels found when proliferative endometrium was used. Since neither P nor E1 compete directly with E2 for nuclear binding it is concluded that the concentration of E2 receptors in human endometrium declines significantly during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. (Endocrinology 93: 245, 1973)
Characterization of the ribosomal binding site in rat liver rough microsomes: Ribophorins I and II, two integral membrane proteins related to ribosome binding

Rat liver rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes (ER) contain two characteristic transmembrane glycoproteins which have been designated ribophorins I and II and are absent from smooth ER membranes. These proteins (MW 65,000 and 63,000 respectively) are related to the binding sites for ribosomes, as suggested by the following findings: i) The ribophorin content of the rough ER membranes corresponds stoichiometrically to the number of bound ribosomes; ii) ribophorins are quantitatively recovered with the bound polysomes after most other ER membrane proteins are dissolved with the nonionic detergent Kyro EOB; iii) in intact rough microsomes ribophorins can be cross-linked chemically to the ribosomes and therefore are in close proximity to them. Treatment of rough microsomes with a low Triton-X-100 concentration leads to the lateral displacement of ribosomes on the microsomal surface and to the formation of aggregates of bound ribosomes in areas of membranes which frequently invaginate into the microsomal lumen. Subfractionation of Triton-treated microsomes containing invaginations led to the recovery of smooth and "rough-inverted" vesicles. Ribophorins were present only in the latter fraction, indicating that both proteins are displaced together with the ribosomes when these aggregate without detaching. Measurements of the ribosome-binding capacity of rough and smooth microsomal membranes reconstituted after solubilization with detergents suggest that ribophorins are necessary for in vitro ribosome binding. Ribophorin-like proteins were found in rough microsomes obtained from secretory tissues of several animal species. The two proteins present in rat lacrimal gland microsomes have the same mobility as hepatocyte ribophorins and cross-react with antisera against them.
Candida glabrata: review of epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical disease with comparison to C. albicans

Until recently, Candida glabrata was considered a relatively nonpathogenic commensal fungal organism of human mucosal tissues. However, with the increased use of immunosuppressive agents, mucosal and systemic infections caused by C. glabrata have increased significantly, especially in the human immunodeficiency virus-infected population. A major obstacle in C. glabrata infections is their innate resistance to azole antimycotic therapy, which is very effective in treating infections caused by other Candida species. Candida glabrata, formerly known as Torulopsis glabrata, contrasts with other Candida species in its nondimorphic blastoconidial morphology and haploid genome. C. glabrata currently ranks second or third as the causative agent of superficial (oral, esophageal, vaginal, or urinary) or systemic candidal infections, which are often nosocomial. Currently, however, there are few recognized virulence factors of C. glabrata and little is known about the host defense mechanisms that protect against infection. Two established animal models (systemic and vaginal) have been established to study treatment, pathogenesis, and immunity. Treatment of C. glabrata infections can include azoles but often requires amphotericin B or flucytosine. This review summarizes all known clinical and experimental information about C. glabrata infections with comparisons to C. albicans as a means of contrasting the two species commonly observed and emphasizing the many recognized differences.
Integrated Genomic Analysis Implicates Haploinsufficiency of Multiple Chromosome 5q31.2 Genes in De Novo Myelodysplastic Syndromes Pathogenesis

Deletions spanning chromosome 5q31.2 are among the most common recurring cytogenetic abnormalities detectable in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Prior genomic studies have suggested that haploinsufficiency of multiple 5q31.2 genes may contribute to MDS pathogenesis. However, this hypothesis has never been formally tested. Therefore, we designed this study to systematically and comprehensively evaluate all 28 chromosome 5q31.2 genes and directly test whether haploinsufficiency of a single 5q31.2 gene may result from a heterozygous nucleotide mutation or microdeletion. We selected paired tumor (bone marrow) and germline (skin) DNA samples from 46 de novo MDS patients (37 without a cytogenetic 5q31.2 deletion) and performed total exonic gene resequencing (479 amplicons) and array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). We found no somatic nucleotide changes in the 46 MDS samples, and no cytogenetically silent 5q31.2 deletions in 20/20 samples analyzed by array CGH. Twelve novel single nucleotide polymorphisms were discovered. The mRNA levels of 7 genes in the commonly deleted interval were reduced by 50% in CD34+ cells from del(5q) MDS samples, and no gene showed complete loss of expression. Taken together, these data show that small deletions and/or point mutations in individual 5q31.2 genes are not common events in MDS, and implicate haploinsufficiency of multiple genes as the relevant genetic consequence of this common deletion.
Genomic Evolution of Domesticated Microorganisms

Strains of lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and molds have been selected over thousands of years based on the unique sensory attributes they provide to food fermentations. Over the centuries they have evolved to their domesticated roles, leading to genome decay, loss of pathways, acquisition of genomic elements, and beneficial mutations that provide an advantage in their nutrient-rich food environments. This review highlights the evolutionary traits influenced by the domestication process as these microbes adapted to nutrient-rich foods developed by humans.
Public participatory GIS in community-based disaster risk reduction

Natural hazards, such as earthquakes and floods, result in disasters for several reasons. One of the important factors is reducing risk before an incident arises. Such efforts are commonly termed disaster risk reduction (DRR). DRR is the process and engagement of a local community to explore factors of risk and implement methods, practices, and even cultural change, which will reduce the probability that a natural hazard will result in a severe disaster. In this paper I explore the applicability of public participatory GIS (PPGIS) technologies into DRR efforts. Geographic information systems (GIS) function as an electronic spatial data storage, mapping, and analysis tool compromised of software, hardware, and data inputs. GIS can produce simple maps as well as complicated analysis based on several data sources (or layers). Like standard participatory research methods, PPGIS incorporates end users, research subjects, and researchers into a collaborative environment where GIS are structured under the guidance of both the expert and the novice. One intended result are GIS appropriate to the needs and uses of a given community, with specific attention to the cultural underpinnings of that community. Introducing PPGIS tools into community-based DRR is not a neutral effort. The information and communication technologies (ICT) embedded in GIS can both aid the DRR efforts as well as impact the community in unintended ways. ICTs may be common in communities engaged in DRR efforts so the introduction of PPGIS may have minimal impact. What are the societal ramifications, however, of PPGIS methods in DRR efforts when ICTs are a relatively new aspect of a given community? What are the communication methods pertinent to PPGIS in the DRR context? How does the ICT literature address PPGIS methods? The paper addresses these and other influences of ICT on societies prone to natural hazards.
Forms of Dialogical Relations and Semiotic Autoregulation within the Self

The dialogical self entails relations between perspectival positions (I-positions) that maintain and develop within the self as a field. A typology of such relations is outlined, and related with the process of semiotic mediation. Semiotic mediation takes the form of flexible control systems that regulate the relations between I-positions. These autoregulatory processes generate both the meaningfulness of the flow of experience, and meta-level meanings that constrain the extent of construcion and loci of application of the direct semiotic regulators to the flow of experience. The dialogical self is an autocatalytic system that orients itself towards the future by either enabling or blocking the emergence of its own new states.
Reliable cluster computing with a new checkpointing RAID-x architecture

In a serverless cluster of PCs or workstations, the cluster must allow remote file accesses or parallel I/O directly performed over disks distributed to all client nodes. We introduce a new distributed disk array, called the RAID-x, for use in serverless clusters. The RAID-x architecture is based on an orthogonal striping and mirroring (OSM) scheme, which exploits full-bandwidth and protects the system from all single disk failures. The performance of the RAID-x is experimentally proven superior to RAID-1 and NFS in the Linux cluster environment. We propose a new striped checkpointing scheme, leveraging on striped parallelism and pipelined writing of successive disk stripes. This RAID-x architecture greatly enhances the throughput, reliability, and availability of scalable clusters. It appeals especially to I/O-centric cluster applications.
Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers on Si substrates

We report on a new GaAs-Si bonding and material integration technology that can be done at room temperature with similar bonding strength as direct wafer bonding process. Because of the low bonding temperature, the material is not under stress at room temperature. When temperature rises during device processing, the GaAs film is under compression instead of tension so the film does not crack. By employing the low stress room temperature bonding technique, we demonstrated VCSELs with a threshold current of 1.2 mA under continuous-wave condition.
Boreal peatland water table depth and carbon accumulation during the Holocene thermal maximum, Roman Warm Period, and Medieval Climate Anomaly

The Boreal Shield and James Bay Lowland regions of Ontario have few Holocene reconstructions specific to surface moisture despite their potential importance to documenting the geographic patterns and teleconnections of Holocene pluvials and droughts, as well as their role in the global carbon cycle. We reconstructed water table depth using preserved testate amoebae in four stratigraphic peatland cores, supplemented with a literature review to investigate the effects of the Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM) and Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) on surface moisture and long-term apparent carbon accumulation (LARCA) in the regions. A 7320 calendar years before AD 1950 (yrBP) length record registered a wet shift at 4600 yrBP in concert with the HTM and a later post-2550 yrBP shift towards wetter and more stable conditions, possibly related to the Roman Warm Period. During the late-Holocene the three most southern boreal records indicated a lack of droughts during the MCA. Medieval pluvials in boreal Ontario would be consistent with North American precipitation patterns under La Nina conditions. Of the three wet-warm periods identified (HTM, 2550 yrBP, MCA), the 2550 yrBP shift had the most consistent positive influence on LARCA regionally. Although past precipitation was positively correlated with temperature in the region, recent drying may be indicative of a fundamental change in evaporation-precipitation balance.
Controlled Exercise in Equine Rehabilitation

Controlled exercise is a fundamental and critical component of any rehabilitation program for the equine athlete. The ideal controlled exercise program is designed to complement the normal tissue reparative process after injury. As a general rule, the program starts with complete rest followed by stall rest and short periods of walking. Over time, the intensity of the controlled exercise is gradually and systemically increased until complete healing has occurred. A well-designed, injury-directed, controlled exercise program enhances the healing process.
Purification and properties of permeability factor-cholera enterotoxin from complex and synthetic media.

Several investigators have recently published techniques for obtaining a relatively pure enterotoxin of Vibrio cholerae. Coleman et al. [1] partially purified cholera enterotoxin and showed that doses as low as 10 jig elicited accumulation of fluid in rabbit ileal loops. Choleragen (a synonym for cholera enterotoxin) was purified by Finkelstein and LoSpalluto [2] and was demonstrated to be a single protein possessing extremely potent activity when it was tested in infant rabbits, intradermally, and in rabbit ileal loops. Richardson and Evans [3] found that a partially purified preparation of toxin obtained by precipitation with dextran sulfate had very high activity as skin permeability factor (PF) and was enterotoxic for infant rabbits at dilutions as high as 1:100. In contrast to these findings, Lewis and Freeman [4] reported what seemed to be the separation of the activities in the skin and gut in a crude peptone-based toxin (of very low specific activity) prepared by a modification of the technique of Coleman et al. [1]. At about the same time, Kaur and Burrows [5], extending their earlier work [1], offered data indicating that the fractions said to be toxic by Lewis and Freeman were in fact completely free of enterotoxicity. Because of extensive use of the PF test to
Generation of Monodisperse Protein Nanoparticles by Electrospray Drying

The feasibility of producing relatively monodisperse and biologically active protein particles by electrospray drying is demonstrated. The process entails dissolving dry powder in an electrosprayable solution. The solution is then dispersed and, after solvent evaporation, dry residues can be collected on suitable deposition substrates. The process was demonstrated in the case of insulin. Particles were sized visually, using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and aerodynamically, using an inertial impactor. When electrosprays of nearly saturated solutions were operated in the stable cone-jet mode, impactor data showed that the particle average aerodynamic diameter ranged from about 88 to 110 nm in diameter and the distributions were quasi-monodisperse with relative standard deviation estimated at approximately 10%. SEM observations for the same conditions showed average particle dimensions ranging from 98 to 117 nm, with predominantly doughnut shapes. Smaller particles can be generated by decreasing the insulin concentration and/or by spraying smaller liquid flow rates. The biological activity of the electrospray-processed insulin samples was confirmed by comparing binding properties on insulin receptors against a control sample. Although the maximum production rate for monodisperse insulin nanoparticles from a single cone-jet is low, at about 0.23 mg/hour, overall production can be increased by multiplexing the device with microfabrication techniques.
Acoustical Communication during Courtship and Mating in the Green Lacewing Chrysopa carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 72: 68-79 (1979) Courtship and mating of the green lacewing Chrysopa carnea Stephens is described. Copulation is preceded by 5 well defined activities: search, antennal contact, mouthpart contact, abdominal approach, and abdominal contact. Rhythmic vibration or jerking of the abdomen in the vertical plane accompanies all stages of courtship in both sexes. Isolated, sexually receptive individuals release long sequences of discrete, short bursts or volleys of abdominal vibration or jerking separated by 1-to 2-sec intervals; female solos are rarer than male solos and display significantly longer intervals between bursts. Sexually receptive heterosexual pairs of lacewings establish duets of precise reciprocal abdominal jerking between partners; these calls seem like interdigitated solo calls, with each partner altering its normal interburst interval slightly toward that characteristic of the opposite sex. While each solo sequence typically displays increasing and then decreasing burst intervals, successful heterosexual duets manifest ever increasing burst spacing until terminated by copulation. A pair of sexually receptive males can also establish a duet of reciprocal abdominal jerking. Airborne sound, possibly ultrasound, is used for intraspecific communication. Two lacewings that occur sympatrically with C. carnea similarly jerk their abdomens spontaneously and in heterosexual duets, but differ from it markedly in the temporal patterning of their volleys: C. rufilabris Burmeister releases sustained, modulated bursts of jerking at 10- to 12-sec intervals, while C. oculata Say produces simple long sequences of closely spaced volleys of abdominal vibration. I postulate that acoustical communication in chrysopids is a short distance phenomenon that functions primarily to isolate reproductively species that are morphologically and ecologically similar.
Landscape and Local Correlates of Bee Abundance and Species Richness in Urban Gardens.

Urban gardens may preserve biodiversity as urban population densities increase, but this strongly depends on the characteristics of the gardens and the landscapes in which they are embedded. We investigated whether local and landscape characteristics are important correlates of bee (Hymenoptera: Apiformes) abundance and species richness in urban community gardens. We worked in 19 gardens in the California central coast and sampled bees with aerial nets and pan traps. We measured local characteristics (i.e., vegetation and ground cover) and used the USGS National Land Cover Database to classify the landscape surrounding our garden study sites at 2 km scales. We classified bees according to nesting type (i.e., cavity, ground) and body size and determined which local and landscape characteristics correlate with bee community characteristics. We found 55 bee species. One landscape and several local factors correlated with differences in bee abundance and richness for all bees, cavity-nesting bees, ground-nesting bees, and different sized bees. Generally, bees were more abundant and species rich in bigger gardens, in gardens with higher floral abundance, less mulch cover, more bare ground, and with more grass. Medium bees were less abundant in sites surrounded by more medium intensity developed land within 2 km. The fact that local factors were generally more important drivers of bee abundance and richness indicates a potential for gardeners to promote bee conservation by altering local management practices. In particular, increasing floral abundance, decreasing use of mulch, and providing bare ground may promote bees in urban gardens.
Renal hemodynamic actions of lipoxins in rats : a comparative physiological study

Interactions between either the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and 15-LO or 5-LO and 12-LO can lead to the formation of lipoxins. Although the functional significance of lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid has been recognized increasingly in glomerular inflammation, less is known regarding the specific effects of lipoxins on renal hemodynamics. Here, we examine the renal actions of lipoxin (LX) A4, LXB4, and, the recently identified 7-cis-11-trans-LXA4, which were administered into the renal artery of the euvolemic male Munich-Wistar rat. LXA4 caused increases in renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were reversed during cyclooxygenase inhibition. LXB4 decreased both RPF and GFR, and its mode of action was independent of cyclooxygenase activity. 7-cis-11-trans-LXA4 decreased RPF and GFR, which effects were abolished during systemic infusion of the leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist SKF 104353. Results indicate that each of these lipoxins displays distinct hemodynamic effects via a specific mode of action on the renal vasculature of rats. Moreover, they suggest mechanisms whereby lipoxins may participate in the changes of renal hemodynamics that occur during glomerular inflammatory processes.
The Use of Prospective Versus Retrospective Pretests with Child-Welfare Involved Families

The purpose of the current study is to examine the use of both a prospective and a retrospective pretest in evaluating the impact of the Strengthening Families Program on foster care involved families affected by parental substance abuse. Debate has existed in the literature for over 60 years regarding the use of retrospective pretests in assessing self-reported program impact, with key stakeholders often arguing strongly that, due to response-shift bias, sensitization, and the nature of many human service settings, retrospective pretesting may be more appropriate. However, program evaluators must also incorporate into the evaluation design funding mandates to collect data at specific points in time. In order to mitigate potential pretest-only biases and enhance the evaluation’s rigor, this study sought to address the pretest debate through the use of both a traditional, prospective pretest and a retrospective pretest. Using data provided by 411 caregivers, program effectiveness was measured in the areas of family, child and parent functioning. Statistical significance tests and effect sizes were analyzed to compare traditional prospective pretest to posttest scores and retrospective pretests to posttest scores. Findings indicate that overall, the Strengthening Families Program positively impacted family, child and parent functioning and that there were few differences between testing approaches when testing for statistical significance; however, relative differences between prospective pretests and retrospective pretests appeared more prominent in effect size computations. This research informs the longstanding debate, and suggests that program evaluators consider the advantages and disadvantages of using a retrospective pretest in design planning.
URTICARIA PIGMENTOSA WITH BONE INVOLVEMENT.

Urticaria pigmentosa (mastocystosis) is a systemic disease characterized by tissue mast-cell hyperplasia in the corium of the skin and in the host organs of the reticuloendothelial system. One of the most frequently involved of these host organs is the skeletal system of the body. A survey of the literature reveals thirty-six cases of apparent urticaria pigmentosa with bone involvement but without histological confirmation. Twenty-one cases of urticaria pigmentosa with histologically proved bone involvement were found and summarized and an additional case is reported.
Embedding goal-directed evaluation through transformation

Goal-directed evaluation is a paradigm that combines the power of generators with backtracking search. In goal-directed evaluation every expression is a generator that produces a sequence of values or fails, and operations search to find successful results over the product space of their operands. Introduced in the influential dynamic language Icon and later refined in its object-oriented descendent Unicon, goal-directed evaluation is difficult to formalize and implement. In particular grafting goal-directed evaluation onto other languages in a manner that provides seamless interoperability has remained an elusive challenge. We present a novel approach to embedding goal-directed evaluation into existing object-oriented languages based on program transformation. We first introduce a form of annotations for multi-language integration, called scoped annotations, that allow mixing in functionality at the level of expressions, methods, or classes. Transformations over the annotated regions then unravel the syntax of generator expressions to a conventional form by flattening nested generators and making iteration explicit in order to enable native evaluation. To demonstrate the utility of the approach, we have implemented the transformations for Java as well as its dynamic analogue Groovy, and housed them in an interpretive harness that realizes both an interactive extension of Groovy as well as a translator of embedded goal-directed evaluation into Java.
Molecular Assay Validation Using Genomic Sequence Databases.

ABSTRACT Whole-genome sequence databases offer new in silico approaches for designing and validating PCR assays in the clinical microbiology laboratory. An article in this issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology (M. J. Jansen van Rensburg, C. Swift, A. J. Cody, C. Jenkins, and M. C. J. Maiden, J Clin Microbiol, 54:2882–2890, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01522-16) demonstrates the use of publicly available genomic sequence data to evaluate a PCR assay for distinguishing Campylobacter species.
Incidence and Outcomes of Neutropenia in Patients with Celiac Disease- a Consecutive Analysis of 1729 Patients

Abstract Background: Celiac disease (gluten sensitive enteropathy) is a systemic disease with hematological manifestations including; iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 and folate deficiency, leukopenia/neutropenia, hyposplenism, venous thromboembolism, and the enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma (E-TCL). Leukopenia/neutropenia is rare, and can result from folate or copper deficiency, but in many cases remains idiopathic. The consequences of neutropenia and neutrophil responses to a gluten free diet are not well described. We carried out this study to assess the incidence and outcomes of neutropenia in patients with celiac disease. Methods: The Mayo clinic celiac disease database (n=1729) was retrospectively analyzed for all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of celiac disease that had leukopenia ( Results: 21(1.2%) of 1729 cases screened had idiopathic-celiac related neutropenia; 17 (81%) Caucasian, 15 (48%) females. In 12(57%) patients the neutropenia preceded or occurred near the time of the diagnosis of celiac disease, while in 7 (33.3%) it occurred subsequently. In 2 cases the temporal association could not be established. The median age at diagnosis of celiac disease was 46 years (10-67) and the median follow up for this group was 41.7 months (0-207.3). At last follow up 1 (4.8%) death has been documented; 0 from infectious complications, with no cases of E-TCL. The median laboratory values at diagnosis of celiac disease were available in 11 (52%) patients and included; hemoglobin 12.9 g/dL (10.5-16.8), MCV 91.5 fl (79.6-102.8), WBC 3.2 x109/L (2.3-5.2), ANC 1.29x109/L (0.33-3.24), ALC 1.34x109/L (0.75-2.17), AMC 0.39x109/L (0.15-0.71), and platelet counts 225x109/L (168-711). Anti-granulocyte antibodies were assessed in 7 patients and were negative in all cases. None of these patients had coexistent hyposplenism and three cases of neutropenia that occurred in the setting of celiac disease and CVID were excluded. In 15 (71%) patients the neutropenia was incidentally detected during routine laboratory work and in 4 (19%) it came to light secondary to infections. Ten (48%) patients had recurrent infections (≥1) as documented by their providers, including 7 with sinopulmonary infections, 1 with urinary tract infections, and 1 with skin and soft tissue infections. Additional immunological assessments were not available in these patients. Three (14%) patients had an ANC 1 x 10(9)/L). The ANC in patients in this cohort did not correlate with severity of infections. Five (23%) of 21 patients had improvement in neutrophil counts after adopting a gluten free diet, while there was no response in 10 and data was unavailable in 6. The median time to ANC response was 14.5 months (10-15.3) and the median increment in ANC was 0.67 x 10(9)/L (0.48-0.98). Conclusions: Celiac disease associated neutropenia, especially significant neutropenia (ANC Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A comparative analysis of conviction outcomes of American domestic terrorists

ABSTRACTThis research uses quantitative analyses to determine whether or not conviction outcomes differ across three major American domestic terrorism groups: ecoterrorists, left-wing extremists, and right-wing extremists. Findings suggest that ecoterrorists receive lighter treatment within the criminal justice system while controlling for important variables, such as gender, age, and count severity. Findings highlight differences between “home-grown” terrorist groups, departing from a large segment of terrorism research focused on domestic versus international comparisons or terrorist versus civilian comparisons. Results elicit new research questions to understand why domestic terrorists receive differential treatment within the criminal justice system, despite controlling for key variables.
Experimental and numerical investigation of density current over macro-roughness

The dynamics of density current over a bottom covered by macro-roughness elements were investigated by laboratory experiments and a computational model using large eddy simulations. The macro-roughness considered had significant size in comparison with the scale of density current. Five different roughness conditions were considered, namely flat bottom (for reference), half spheres, fine gravels, medium gravels, and large gravels. These bottom conditions had variations in roughness element size, shape, angularity, and spatial configuration. The density current was a lock-exchange type with a density difference of 1% between the two fluids initially separated by a gate in the middle. In the computational model, the roughness was captured using two different methods depending on the size of the roughness elements. For the large roughness elements, i.e., the half spheres and the medium and large gravels, an immersed boundary method was used to resolve the surface of each gravel, which was obtained through 3D laser scanning. The realistic and physically correct placement of these scanned objects in the simulation domain was achieved using a computer tool which can detect the collision of rigid bodies and simulate their dynamics. For the fine gravels, a rough wall function was used. The computational model was validated with the data measured in the experiments, including front position and velocity, and point velocity measurement within the current. The results show that density currents over macro-roughness have distinct behavior from those over a smooth boundary. The characteristics (size, angularity, and pavement pattern) of the macro-roughness play a key role in the current development. Macro-roughness significantly retards the front propagation and enhances entrainment.