cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of ethanol-mediated immunosuppression in mice: ethanol suppresses T-cell proliferation without affecting IL2 production and IL2 receptor expression.

Abstract The effect of extended ethanol consumption in young C57BL/6 mice on T-cell proliferation was studied. Splenic cells of young mice (3–4 months old), fed with one of thress different liquid diets (5% ethanol, maltose-substitute, or standard liquid diet) for 28–38 days were cultured with plant lectins to assess T-cell proliferation and IL2 production. Expression of T-cell subset markers (CD4 + /CD8 + ) was also determined. Then, Con A-activated T blast cells were assessed for their ability to express IL2 receptor (IL2R) and to respond to IL2. Finally, the proliferative response of splenic cells to PMA/ionomycin was assessed. The results showed that both lectin- and PMA/ionomycin-induced mitogenesis and IL2-dependent proliferation of T-cells from ethanol diet-fed mice were diminished as compared with that of maltose-substitute diet or standard liquid diet. However, the ability of T-cells from ethanol diet-fed mice to produce IL2 and to express IL2 R or CD4 + /CD8 + subset markers was not affected. Furthermore, the magnitude of ethanol-mediated suppression of T-cell proliferation induced by PMA/ionomycin was comparable with that induced by Con A. These results taken together indicate that ethanol suppresses T-cell proliferation by interfering with events following the IL2 - IL2R interaction. Therefore, it is likely that ethanol inhibits murine T-cell proliferation by selectively affecting the progression (IL2R-mediated events) rather than the initiation (mitogenic receptor-mediated events) of the cell cycle.
Risks, Benefits, and Challenges in Global IT Outsourcing: Perspectives and Practices

In the last few years, Web-based surveys have received increased attention given their potential to cut the costs and time associated with paper-based surveys. In this exploratory study, we consider the feasibility of using the Web as a data collection medium in China, which has a current Internet population of 103 million. Following a review of the literature regarding the design, implementation, and application of Web surveys, and the current state of data collection in developing countries in general and China in particular, we describe how we developed a Web-based survey instrument focusing on the ethical values of IT professionals. We e-mailed 5,000 IT professionals in China, inviting them to participate in the survey. Thirty-seven percent of those contacted visited the Web site and 5.8% submitted the survey. The survey data, both qualitative and quantitative, is analysed and discussed with a view to drawing up instructive guidance for researchers interested to use the Web as a data collection tool in China, as well as developing countries more generally. The Web-based survey has great potential in these contexts, if sensitively designed and implemented. We consider the implications of this research and identify areas where future research is necessary.
Classroom Activity Connections: Demonstrating Various Flame Tests Using Common Household Materials

In JCE Activity #67, “Flame Tests: Which Ion Causes the Color?”, Michael Sanger describes how to conduct flame tests with household items. We have used this activity in outreach settings, and have extended it in a variety of ways. For example, we have demonstrated large-scale strontium (red), copper (green), and carbon (blue) flames using only household items, and have helped children investigate the chemistry of sparklers and colored flame birthday candles.
Using role delineation data to design dietetics education curriculums

Abstract This discussion indicated the basis for the knowledge and performance requirements in the Standards of Education and related several requirements to selected activities in ADA's role delineation study. The examples showed how role delineation data can be used for curriculum development. Continued study of the role delineation data will provide additional and multiple uses for this important database.
Dopamine and norepinephrine stimulate somatostatin release by median eminence fragments in vitro.

Abstract The effect of catecholamines on somatostatin release by median eminence (ME) fragments was evaluated using an in vitro incubation system. Adult male rats were used as tissue donors. Somatostatin release was readily detected during short-term incubations (10 and 30 minutes). Dopamine (DA) significantly stimulated somatostatin release during a 30 minute incubation period at the two doses tested (0.6 and 6 μM). Under similar conditions, norepinephrine (NE) stimulated somatostatin release only at the 6 μM dose. Using a shorter incubation period (10 min) and a 6 μM dose, only DA stimulated somatostatin release. The effects of DA and NE were specifically blocked by the in vitro addition of pimozide or phentolamine, respectively, suggesting that dopaminergic and noradrenergic receptors may be present in the somatostatinergic terminals of the ME. The results indicate that both DA and NE may be involved in the regulation of somatostatin secretion.
Gas Chromatographic–Mass Spectrometric Quantitation of Theophylline and Its Metabolites in Biological Fluids

In premature infants, theophylline is converted to caffeine, and the biological half-life is prolonged. To assess the metabolic alterations of theophylline during development of premature infants, a sensitive and simple method was developed which quantitated all theophylline metabolites in plasma, urine, and red blood cells. Theophylline and its metabolites in the sample were converted to the N-propyl derivative using n-propyl iodide in dimethylformamide with potassium carbonate catalysis and were analyzed under isothermal conditions on a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer with a 3% methylsilicone-phenylsilicone column. Deuterated caffeine (caffeine-d3) was used as the internal standard. A selected ion-monitoring technique, together with 70-eV electron impact ionization mode, was used. The ion current ratios between caffeine-d3 (m/z 197) and caffeine (m/z 194), theophylline (m/z 222), 3-methylxanthine (m/z 250), 1,3-dimethyluric acid (m/z 280), and 1-methyluric acid (m/z 308) were monitored. The total analysis time was 12 min with a detection limit ranging from 500 pg to 10 ng, depending on the metabolites. With this sensitivity, sample sizes of 50-100 microliters of plasma and 0.5 ml of urine were sufficient for the analysis of all theophylline metabolites. The coefficient of variation of this method was less than 5% for the analysis of biological samples.
The importance of tumor studies in the initial evaluation for Lynch syndrome: a comparison of MMR positive and negative patients

Methods Patients with loss of MLH1/MSH2 on immunohistochemistry (IHC) or with microsatellite instability (MSI)high tumors were identified in our institutional LS database (February 1992–June 2010). Patients who subsequently underwent MLH1/MSH2 mutation analysis were reviewed. Patients with no identifiable MLH1 germline mutation were excluded if MLH1 promoter methylation was present or not assessed. Patients with variants of uncertain significance were also excluded. Demographics, clinical characteristics, mutational testing, and family histories of patients were analyzed.
Pretreatment neuropsychological deficits in children with brain tumors

Treatment of childhood brain cancer has been associated with long-term cognitive morbidity in children. In the present study, the cognitive status of children with brain tumors was examined prior to any treatment to single out the role of tumor and tumor-related factors in cognitive deficits. Eighty-three children with newly diagnosed brain tumors (mean age, 8.6 years; range, 7 months to 16.6 years; median, 9.4 years) completed an extensive battery of age-related tests to assess cognitive function before any therapeutic intervention. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine tumor site and volume and tumor-related factors. Performance under test was compared with symptom duration, neurological status, epilepsy, and MRI. Cognitive difficulties are detected at diagnosis in as many as 50% of patients for some cognitive domains; 6% of patients present with true-diagnosed mental retardation. The location of the tumor is the principal determinant of cognitive deficits, with major impairment in children with cortical tumors. Symptom duration and the presence of epilepsy are significantly associated with neuropsychological disabilities, while neuroradiological tumor-related variables do not correlate clearly with neurocognitive performance. The knowledge of the pre-existing cognitive deficits is critical to evaluate the results of treatment, providing a baseline for assessing the true impact of therapy in determining cognitive decline. In addition, the study suggests that some clinical variables require careful monitoring, because they could be specifically implicated in the neuropsychological outcome; the efforts to reduce the impact of these factors could ameliorate long-term prognosis.
Relative ranking of facial attractiveness

Automatic evaluation of human facial attractiveness is a challenging problem that has received relatively little attention from the computer vision community. Previous work in this area have posed attractiveness as a classification problem. However, for applications that require fine-grained relationships between objects, learning to rank has been shown to be superior over the direct interpretation of classifier scores as ranks [27]. In this paper, we propose and implement a personalized relative beauty ranking system. Given training data of faces sorted based on a subject's personal taste, we learn how to rank novel faces according to that person's taste. Using a blend of Facial Geometric Relations, HOG, GIST, L*a*b* Color Histograms, and Dense-SIFT + PCA feature types, our system achieves an average accuracy of 63% on pairwise comparisons of novel test faces. We examine the effectiveness of our method through lesion testing and find that the most effective feature types for predicting beauty preferences are HOG, GIST, and Dense-SIFT + PCA features.
Maturation of Spontaneous and Agonist-Induced Uterine Contractions in the Peripartum Mouse Uterus

This study tested the hypothesis that the uterus achieves maximum contractile capabilities before the onset of labor. Basal and agonist-stimulated contractions were assessed in uterine strips on Day 15 or 18 of pregnancy, the day of parturition, or 1 day postpartum (n = 4-13 per group). Spontaneous contractions were evident in all groups (n = 4-13 per gestational group); contraction frequency was greater in peripartum groups than in virgin controls ( approximately 4.6 versus 2.8/200 sec). Peak amplitude was nearly 9-fold higher on Days 15 and 18 and over 30-fold higher in the postpartum and 1 day postpartum groups than in nonpregnant mice. Maximum frequency and peak amplitude were achieved in response to 10(-6) to 10(-8) M oxytocin or arginine vasopressin (OT(max) or AVP(max)). Frequency of contractions in response to OT(max) peaked on Day 18 and then declined. Contraction amplitude increased 5-fold on Day 15, declined on the day of birth (equivalent to nonpregnant level), then rebounded to peak on postpartum Day 1. AVP(max) similarly increased frequency and amplitude of contractions, except that maximum contraction amplitude occurred postpartum. Thus, an endogenous oscillator, residing in the uterus, sustains high basal and agonist-induced contraction frequency during pregnancy. Although acceleration of this pacemaker occurred before term, the data suggest that peripartum increases in contraction amplitude characterize the transition to the powerful synchronous contractions of parturition.
Hydrogen sulfide in cell survival: a double-edged sword.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been found to play an important role as a signal molecule in regulating cell survival. It appears paradoxical that, on one side, H2S acts as a physiological intercellular messenger to stimulate cell growth, and on the other side, it may display cytotoxic activity. This article summarizes the current body of evidence demonstrating the cytoprotective versus cytotoxic effects of H2S in mammalian cells and describes the janus-faced properties of this important gasotransmitter. This article will also provide a brief description of the current signaling mechanisms that have been demonstrated to be responsible for these different actions. The pharmacologic regulation of H2S production and the potential clinical significance of H2S are highlighted.
Fight the Dragons: Using Online Discussion to Promote Critical Literacy in Teacher Education

Today’s children are bombarded by a range of media, and it is the responsibility of teachers to equip students to engage critically. Just as teachers are responsible to teach critical literacy, teacher educators must help empower teachers to become more critically literate. This paper explores the role of online discussion in the ways it fosters critical literacy by analyzing the online discourse of the teachers in an online literature course. Implications relating to both the online nature of teaching and the various strategies to foster critical literacy in everyday classrooms are described.
Guarding the commons: how community managed software projects protect their work

Abstract Theorists often speculate why open source and free software project contributors give their work away. Although contributors make their work publicly available, they do not forfeit their rights to it. Community managed software projects protect their work by using several legal and normative tactics, which should not be conflated with a disregard for or neglect of intellectual property rights. These tactics allow a project’s intellectual property to be publicly and freely available and yet, governable. Exploration of this seemingly contradictory state may provide new insight into governance models for the management of digital intellectual property.
Mechanisms of Xenogeneic Baboon Platelet Aggregation and Phagocytosis by Porcine Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells

Background: Baboons receiving xenogeneic livers from wild type and transgenic pigs survive less than 10 days. One of the major issues is the early development of profound thrombocytopenia that results in fatal hemorrhage. Histological examination of xenotransplanted livers has shown baboon platelet activation, phagocytosis and sequestration within the sinusoids. In order to study the mechanisms of platelet consumption in liver xenotransplantation, we have developed an in vitro system to examine the interaction between pig endothelial cells with baboon platelets and to thereby identify molecular mechanisms and therapies. Methods: Fresh pig hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal and aortic endothelial cells were isolated by collagenase digestion of livers and processing of aortae from GTKO and Gal+ MGH-miniature swine. These primary cell cultures were then tested for the differential ability to induce baboon or pig platelet aggregation. Phagocytosis was evaluated by direct observation of CFSE labeled-platelets, which are incubated with endothelial cells under confocal light microscopy. Aurintricarboxylic acid (GpIb antagonist blocking interactions with von Willebrand factor/vWF), eptifibatide (Gp IIb/IIIa antagonist), and anti-Mac-1 Ab (anti-aMb2 integrin Ab) were tested for the ability to inhibit phagocytosis. Results: None of the pig cells induced aggregation or phagocytosis of porcine platelets. However, pig hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal and aortic endothelial cells (GTKO and Gal+) all induced moderate aggregation of baboon platelets. Importantly, pig liver sinusoidal endothelial cells efficiently phagocytosed baboon platelets, while pig aortic endothelial cells and hepatocytes had minimal effects on platelet numbers. Anti-MAC-1 Ab, aurintricarboxylic acid or eptifibatide, significantly decreased baboon platelet phagocytosis by pig liver endothelial cells (P,0.01). Conclusions: Although pig hepatocytes and aortic endothelial cells directly caused aggregation of baboon platelets, only pig liver endothelial cells efficiently phagocytosed baboon platelets. Blocking vWF and integrin adhesion pathways prevented both aggregation and phagocytosis.
The origin of petroglyphs-recordings of a catastrophic aurora in human prehistory?

Summary form only given, as follows. Petroglyphs are images created on rock by means of carving or 'pecking' the outer surface to expose the surface underneath They are found on all continents except Antarctica. The purpose of this paper is an attempt to explain how in man's prehistory recordings of high-energy-density phenomena (some not experimentally recorded until the last few years) could have been carved on rock in an accurate, systematic and apparently temporally accurate fashion. Based on the compilation and analysis of the order of 50,000 digitally recorded petroglyphs, we have identified several dozen general categories of instabilities whose morphology is that of a highly nonlinear pinched plasma column generally associated with multi-mega-ampere Z-pinch experiments. We shall present the direct comparison of the temporal evolution of experimental instabilities with petroglyphs, indicating that nearly all archaic carvings match the phenomena that ought be produced in an intense and long-lasting aurora.
Ability of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus To Form Plaques in Cell Culture Is Associated with Suppression of Alpha/Beta Interferon

A genetic variant of foot-and-mouth disease virus lacking the leader proteinase coding region (A12-LLV2) is attenuated in both cattle and swine and, in contrast to wild-type virus (A12-IC), does not spread from the initial site of infection after aerosol exposure of bovines. We have identified secondary cells from susceptible animals, i.e., bovine, ovine, and porcine animals, in which infection with A12-LLV2, in contrast to A12-IC infection, does not produce plaques; this result indicates that this virus cannot spread from the site of initial infection to neighboring cells. Nevertheless, A12-LLV2 can infect these cells, but cytopathic effects and virus yields are significantly reduced compared to those seen with A12-IC infection. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis demonstrates that both A12-LLV2 and A12-IC induce the production of alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) mRNA in host cells. However, only supernatants from A12-LLV2-infected cells have significant antiviral activity. The antiviral activity in supernatants from A12-LLV2-infected embryonic bovine kidney cells is IFN-α/β specific, as assayed with mouse embryonic fibroblast cells with or without IFN-α/β receptors. The results obtained with cell cultures demonstrate that the ability of A12-IC to form plaques is associated with the suppression of IFN-α/β expression and suggest a role for this host factor in the inability of A12-LLV2 to spread and cause disease in susceptible animals.
Androgen receptor expression is usually maintained in initial surgically resected breast cancer metastases but is often lost in end-stage metastases found at autopsy.

Androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in approximately 70% of primary breast carcinomas and is a promising therapeutic target for metastatic breast carcinoma. Here, we examine AR expression in a population of initial surgically-resected metastases and a separate cohort of end-stage metastases harvested at autopsy compared to their matched primary breast carcinomas. Tissue microarrays of matched primary and metastatic breast carcinomas were labeled by immunohistochemistry for AR, ER, PR, and Her2 and classified into the following previously-described categories: luminal (ER/PR+/Her2−), triple negative (ER/PR/Her2−), Her2 (ER/PR−/Her2+), and luminal loss (ER/PR loss from primary to metastasis). In the cohort of surgically-resected metastases (n=16), AR was expressed in 12/16 primaries and maintained in 11/12 corresponding metastases. Of these, 36% showed stronger AR labeling in the metastases and none showed a decrease. In the cohort of metastases harvested at autopsy (n=16), AR was expressed in 11/16 primary carcinomas and maintained in only 5/11 corresponding metastases. Of these, none showed increased AR and 80% showed decreased AR labeling. AR expression is overwhelmingly concordant between matched primary and metastatic breast carcinomas at initial presentation. These findings validate AR as a therapeutic target in metastatic breast carcinoma and suggest that AR may need to be reevaluated in metastases even if the primary is negative. However, similar to ER/PR, AR expression is often decreased with a trend towards complete loss in end-stage metastases, suggesting a shift of AR expression between initial and end-stage metastases. This suggests an opportunity for targeted anti-androgen therapy at an earlier stage of disease progression.
Survivors of School Bullying: A Collective Case Study

This article explores the coping strategies of five junior-high school students with a history of peer victimization and how those strategies help them manage the effects of bullying. The data were collected using observations, interviews, and a review of school records. The data were analyzed using categorical aggregation, direct interpretation, constant comparison, and identification of patterns. On analysis, the following categories emerged from the data: identification of supportive systems, in-class strategies, premonition and environmental analysis, thought cessation and redirection, and masking. These categories were amalgamated into two general patterns: preventive and reactive strategies. The results of the study show that although the strategies helped participants to cope with the immediate effects of bullying, they did not exempt participants from the psychological and emotional implications of peer victimization.
Structural and immunological characterization of the myosin-like 110-kD subunit of the intestinal microvillar 110K-calmodulin complex: evidence for discrete myosin head and calmodulin-binding domains

The actin bundle within each microvillus of the intestinal brush border is tethered laterally to the membrane by spirally arranged bridges. These bridges are thought to be composed of a protein complex consisting of a 110-kD subunit and multiple molecules of bound calmodulin (CM). Recent studies indicate that this complex, termed 110K-CM, is myosin-like with respect to its actin binding and ATPase properties. In this study, possible structural similarity between the 110-kD subunit and myosin was examined using two sets of mAbs; one was generated against Acanthamoeba myosin II and the other against the 110-kD subunit of avian 110K-CM. The myosin II mAbs had been shown previously to be cross-reactive with skeletal muscle myosin, with the epitope(s) localized to the 50-kD tryptic fragment of the subfragment-1 (S1) domain. The 110K mAbs (CX 1-5) reacted with the 110-kD subunit as well as with the heavy chain of skeletal but not with that of smooth or brush border myosin. All five of these 110K mAbs reacted with the 25-kD, NH2-terminal tryptic fragment of chicken skeletal S1, which contains the ATP-binding site of myosin. Similar tryptic digestion of 110K-CM revealed that these five mAbs all reacted with a 36-kD fragment of 110K (as well as larger 90- and 54-kD fragments) which by photoaffinity labeling was shown to contain the ATP-binding site(s) of the 110K subunit. CM binding to these same tryptic digests of 110K-CM revealed that only the 90-kD fragment retained both ATP- and CM-binding domains. CM binding was observed to several tryptic fragments of 60, 40, 29, and 18 kD, none of which contain the myosin head epitopes. These results suggest structural similarity between the 110K and myosin S1, including those domains involved in ATP- and actin binding, and provide additional evidence that 110K-CM is a myosin. These studies also support the results of Coluccio and Bretscher (1988. J. Cell Biol. 106:367-373) that the calmodulin-binding site(s) and the myosin head region of the 110-kD subunit lie in discrete functional domains of the molecule.
Learning Reverberation: Considerations for Spatial Auditory Displays

Reverberation has both beneficial and detrimental effects on auditory localization. This paper reviews evidence that listeners adapt to the reverberation in a room. Results show that reverberation degrades perception of source direction, but with experience in a given room, performance improves. Reverberation enhances distance perception but distance accuracy still improves with experience. (The importance of reverberation for distance perception can be heard in the accompanying demonstration.) These results are considered along with results from previous studies investigating how past experience affects spatial perception. Implications for learning mechanisms and for the design of auditory displays are discussed.
Predictive value of signs and symptoms for small bowel obstruction in patients with prior surgery

Background The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of various signs and symptoms for small bowel obstruction (SBO) in patients with prior abdominal surgery. Methods This was a secondary analysis of a previously reported prospective study of ultrasonography for SBO. Patients with prior abdominal surgery were identified and presenting signs and symptoms were compared to the CT diagnosis of SBO. Results No signs or symptoms were predictive of SBO. Conclusion No constellation of signs and symptoms can be used to reliably exclude a SBO in patients with prior abdominal surgery.
Racial variation in prostate cancer upgrading and upstaging among men with low-risk clinical characteristics.

Abstract Background African American (AA) men suffer a higher prostate cancer (PCa) burden than other groups. Objective We aim to determine the impact of race on the risk of upgrading, upstaging, and positive surgical margins (PSM) at radical prostatectomy (RP) among men eligible for active surveillance. Design, setting, and participants We studied men with low-risk PCa treated with RP at two centers. Low clinical risk was defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria. Outcome variables were upgrading, upstaging, and PSMs at surgery. Associations between race and the outcomes were evaluated with logistic regression adjusted for age, relationship status, diagnostic prostate-specific antigen level, percentage of positive biopsy cores, surgical approach, year of diagnosis, and clinical site. Results and limitations Of 9304 men diagnosed with PCa, 4231 were low risk and underwent RP within 1 yr. Men were categorized as AA ( n =273; 6.5%), Caucasian ( n =3771; 89.1%), or other racial/ethnic group ( Other ; n =187; 4.4%). AA men had a significantly younger mean age (58.7 yr; standard deviation: ±7.06), and fewer (85%) were married or had a partner. Upgrading (34%) and upstaging (13%) rates did not significantly differ among the groups. The PSM rate was significantly higher in AA men (31%) than in the Caucasian (21%) and Other (20%) groups ( p p Conclusions Among clinically low-risk men who underwent RP, AA men had a higher likelihood of PSMs compared with Caucasian men. We did not find statistically significantly different rates of upgrading and upstaging between the race groups. Patient summary We analyzed two large groups of men with what appeared to be low-risk prostate cancer based on the initial biopsy findings. The likelihood of finding worse disease (higher grade or stage) at the time of surgery was similar across different racial groups.
A Comparison of Perceptions of Fever and Fever Phobia by Ethnicity

Background. The purpose of our study was to compare caregiver perceptions of fever between ethnicities in a population with a large percentage of Hispanics. Methods. A 20-item, cross-sectional survey was collected from English- and Spanish-speaking parents of children. Questions addressed level of parental worry, parental definition of fever and high fever, and other items related to fever and its potential outcomes and treatments. Results. Responses indicated 57% of all parents report being “very worried” when their child is febrile. Results also indicated that parental fear of fever varies by race. Worry was also significantly higher in parents of younger children, and in parents with fewer years of education. However, Hispanic ethnicity was the single most predictive factor for fever worry. Conclusions. Fever phobia continues to exist. The prevalence appears to differ by ethnicity, making it important for physicians to use every patient encounter for culturally sensitive fever education.
Territorial States: Monopolies in the Market for Justice

The medieval Muslim state system did not resemble that which developed in Europe. Many reasons for this have been asserted. One which has never been discussed is that the commercial and merchant classes developed alternative, exit-based, strategies to secure property rights. In such a system, first analyzed by Charles Tiebout, the development of voice-based institutions is not an efficient use of resources. Over the long run exit can be an effective strategy to bargain with monarchs over property rights as long as a trans-regional system of law, such as Islamic shariah, exists. Such a system may also reinforce a tendency to invest in mobile rather than fixed capital.
Where Women Rebel: PATTERNS OF WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN ARMED REBEL GROUPS 1990–2008

While a significant literature on women's participation in armed rebel groups exists, much of this work is focused on individual cases or regional comparisons among movements. This has led to a lack of cross-national work on women in insurgencies, and a limited understanding of the extent to which women are engaged in civil conflict internationally. This article introduces new data on women's involvement in seventy-two insurgencies active since 1990, and assesses the validity of several assumptions about women and rebellion drawn from existing literature on women in conflict and on civil wars generally. I show that women are active in rebel groups much more often than current scholarship acknowledges. This involvement includes frequent service in combat and leadership roles, where male participants are often presumed to be the default. Finally, while forced recruitment tactics are frequently used to bring women into service, much of their participation appears to be voluntary in nature.
Green Roof Plant Responses to Different Substrate Types and Depths under Various Drought Conditions

Plants suitable for extensive green roofs must tolerate extreme rooftop conditions, and the substrates in which they grow must fulfill horticultural and structural requirements. Deeper substrates may retain more water for plants during dry periods, but will also weigh more, especially when near saturation. A study in central Pennsylvania was conducted to evaluate the influence of substrate type and depth on establishment of five green roof plants. Two stonecrops [white stonecrop (Sedum album) and tasteless stonecrop (Sedum sexangulare)], one ice plant (Delosperma nubigenum), and two herbaceous perennials [maiden pink (Dianthus deltoides) and saxifrage pink (Petrorhagia saxifraga)] were planted in three depths (30, 60, and 120 mm) of two commercially available green roof substrates (expanded shale and expanded clay). Study flats inside a plasticulture tunnel received three drought treatments (no drought, 2 weeks early drought, and 2 weeks late drought). The two stonecrops performed well under most conditions, although tasteless stonecrop was stunted by early drought. Ice plant only grew well when provided with water. When subjected to any drought, the herbaceous perennials had the fewest survivors in the expanded shale. Saxifrage pink flowered profusely wherever it survived. The study plants were most affected by substrate depth, except for maiden pink, which responded solely to drought. When subjected to early drought conditions, the herbaceous perennials did not survive in 30 mm of either substrate, or in 60 mm of expanded shale. Although the stonecrops performed well in 60 mm of substrate when subjected to drought, their performance was superior in the expanded clay compared with shale.
School Policy Is Housing Policy: Deconcentrating Disadvantage to Address the Achievement Gap

Social and economic disadvantage—not only poverty, but a host of associated conditions—depresses student performance. Concentrating students with these disadvantages in racially and economically homogeneous schools depresses it further. Schools that the most disadvantaged black children attend are segregated because they are located in segregated high-poverty neighborhoods, far distant from truly middle-class neighborhoods. Living in such high-poverty neighborhoods for multiple generations adds an additional barrier to achievement, and multigenerational segregated poverty characterizes many African-American children today. Education policy is constrained by housing policy: it is not possible to desegregate schools without desegregating both low-income and affluent neighborhoods. However, the policy motivation to desegregate neighborhoods is hobbled by a growing ignorance of the nation’s racial history. It has become conventional for policymakers to assert that the residential isolation of low-income black children is now “de facto,” the accident of economic circumstance, demographic trends, personal preference, and private discrimination. But the historical record demonstrates that residential segregation is “de jure,” resulting from racially motivated and explicit public policy whose effects endure to the present. Without awareness of the history of state-sponsored residential segregation, policymakers are unlikely to take meaningful steps to understand or fulfill the constitutional mandate to remedy the racial isolation of neighborhoods, or the school segregation that flows from it.
Zona pellucida: current status as a candidate antigen for contraceptive vaccine development.

The porcine zona pellucida represents a unique immunocontraceptive target antigen. Initial active immunization studies using crude or partially purified zona components as immunogens resulted in adverse nonreversible effects on ovarian folliculogenesis but recent findings in nonhuman primates indicate that such effects are not as severe and are reversible. Consequently current efforts are directed toward identifying a zona immunogen that elicits contraceptive antibodies that produce no adverse effects on the ovary. Other studies are in progress to determine optimal injection/immunization format proper immunogen dosage and appropriate adjuvant for use in the zona-antizona immunocontraceptive system. Recent data have been very encouraging and emphasize the contraceptive efficacy of this approach to reproduction control. (authors)
Influence of Sewage Sludge and Fertilizer on the Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Fauna of an Old-Field Community

The abundance, species richness and diversity of the ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) fauna in an old-field community subjected to 11 yr of nutrient enrichment were examined during 1991 and 1992. The site near Oxford, OH, consisted of six 0.1-ha plots treated from 1978 to 1988 with either sewage sludge containing heavy metal contaminants (Milorganite, Milwaukee, WI), uncontaminated urea-phosphate fertilizer, or left untreated as controls. In 1989, manipulations designed to stimulate recovery were initiated using various combinations of liming (to account for decreased soil pH in nutrient enriched plots) and tilling within each treatment. Ground beetles were sampled from each subplot with pitfall traps during 4 sample periods of 2 d each between May and September each year. Carabid abundance and diversity were significantly higher in nutrient-enriched fertilizer and sludge plots, whereas recovery manipulations of liming and tilling had no effect. In total, 24 carabid species were collected, with Harpalus pensylvanicus, Calathus opaculus, Amara impuncticollis, Poecilus lucublandus , and Amara copreolata being most common and accounting for 85% of the beetles collected. Species richness was not different between sludge ( n = 18) and fertilizer ( n = 17) communities, whereas the control ( n = 11) community contained significantly ( P < 0.001) fewer species. Sludge plots had the most diverse carabid community ( H ' = 2.108) whereas the control plot was the least diverse ( H ' = 1.744). Fertilizer plots were dominated by H. pensylvanicus (42% of beetles) yet were still more diverse ( H ' = 1.849) than control communities. Both H. pensylvanicus and P. lucublandus accumulated cadmium, lead, and zinc, but at concentrations lower than were present in the soil, indicating these species do not bioconcentrate heavy metals.
Helix-Dipole Effects in Peptide Self-Assembly to Amyloid

The formation of amyloid fibrils is associated with incurable diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and type 2 diabetes. Important mechanistic details of the self-assembly are unknown partly because of the absence of a clear structural characterization of intermediates. There is experimental evidence, however, for α-helical intermediates that has come primarily from circular dichroism spectroscopy. Here, we strengthen the evidence for helical intermediates by demonstrating helix-dipole effects in the early events of self-assembly. Previously, we showed that capped peptides containing the part of the islet amyloid polypeptide that may be responsible for the initial intermolecular contacts (Acetyl-R11LANFLVHSSNNFGA25-NH2 and Acetyl-R11LANFLVHSGNNFGA25-NH2 which contains the S20G mutation associated with early onset type 2 diabetes) self-assemble via helical intermediates [Liu et al. (2010) J. Am. Chem. Soc.132, 18223–18232]. We demonstrate here that when the peptides are uncapped, they do not self-as...
The Use of Cutaneous Staphylococcus Lesions in Mice for the Evaluation of the Germicidal Activity of Disinfectants

In the course of a study of the disinfectant action of several phenol and resorcinol derivatives, phenol coefficients were determined in aqueous solution and in the presence of organic matter according to standard methods,' but attempts to find some means of evaluating the efficiency of the compounds therapeutically were at first discouraging. The experience with the compounds used in this work has shown that with pneumococcus or streptococcus peritonitis or septicemia in mice, an animal could rarely be saved, or the course of the disease could be prolonged in a few instances when the animal had promptly received a carefully chosen dilution of disinfectant. Too often, however, the treated animals died sooner than the untreated controls. The experience of other workers2,d using other disinfectants has been similar. The work of Douglas and Birkhaug4 using Metaphen is typical of the conclusions of many investigators. Morgenroth5 found that optochin, vuzin and rivanol decisively modified a pneumococcus septicemia in mice, though Kolmer3 and others failed to obtain such outstanding results. It has been repeatedly stated6 that phenol coefficients alone do not afford an index of the usefulness of a disinfectant for therapeutic use. Though a multitude of additional procedures37 have been advocated, many of these do not differ sufficiently from the phenol coefficient in principle, or the test is too difficult to follow and control experimentally. An attempt was made in this laboratory to find another morbid process which could be studied readily in laboratory animals and which could be conveniently treated chemotherapeutically. Kolmer3 suggests four principles to observe in studying chemotherapeusis in experimental bacterial infections: First, it is essential to avoid unnecessarily severe infections. Second, it is
Study and Application of Partial Discharge Detection Method of Very High Frequency in Generator

This paper analyzes the effects of four measuring frequency bands of 0.04～100 MHz,5～20 MHz,5～50 MHz,15～50 MHz on partial discharge(PD)detection of generator.According to the suppression characteristics of continuous cyclic interference and random pulse interference,effective anti-interference methods in generator PD detection are discussed,i.e.the methods of dynamic threshold,filtering and sequence comparing of single impulse.The on-site application results of the single impulse sequence comparing method are analyzed.It is concluded that the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)is higher when the frequency band is 5～50 MHz;the single impulse sequence comparing method based on very high frequency(VHF)testing technique and dual transducer coupling is efficient in interference rejection.
Observation on Effects of Diane-35 Combined with Metformin for Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of Diane-35 combined with metformin for treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome( PCOS). Methods Eighty-four patients with PCOS were randomly divided into two groups. The patients in the control group( n = 42) were treated with Diane-35,the patients( n = 42) in the treatment group were treated with Diaen-35 combine with metformin. The changes of reproductive hormones,endocrine and metabolic indicators in two groups were compared after three courses of treatment. Results The levels of follicle stimulating hormone( FSH),luteinizing hormone( LH),testosterone( T),fasting insulin( FINS),fasting blood glucose( FBG), triglycerides( TG),low density lipoprotein-cholesterol( LDL-C) in two groups after treatment decreased significantly compared with those before treatment( P 0. 05),and the decrease in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group( P 0. 05). The body mass index after treatment decreased more significantly compare with that before treatment in the treatment group( P 0. 05),but no significant changes were observed in the control group( P 0. 05). Conclusion Diane-35 combined with metformin can significantly improve the patients' insulin resistance and high androgen,and it is an ideal therapy for PCOS.
Preparing for an influenza pandemic: vaccine prioritization.

Here’s how to determine which patients and employees in your practice should receive the influenza vaccine if a pandemic occurs.
Treatment Options for Individuals with PTSD and Concurrent TBI: A Literature Review and Case Presentation

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-studied mental health condition with existing guidelines and algorithms for treatment of PTSD. Those guidelines, while acknowledging an increased complexity, fail to provide clear PTSD treatment guidelines when an individual has a concurrent traumatic brain injury (TBI) diagnosis. Therefore, a literature review along with an accompanying case presentation is presented to demonstrate the minimum necessary considerations for approaching treatment of this complex population. Treatment approaches must be lead by providers that have the expertise and training necessary to consider all facets of the patient and their potential options. The provider must consider the pathophysiology of PTSD and TBI and be capable of leading a team to identify the patient's source(s) of dysfunction, current cognitive abilities, and potential indications for psychotropic medications and/or other types of therapeutic intervention.
Neural Networks Used in Classification with Emphasis on Biological Populations

Publisher Summary Neural network development and applications have increased in several areas of science to the extent that neural networks are the most actively used of the available artificial intelligence tools. This chapter is confined primarily to introducing fishery scientists to neural network methodology and applications in biological classification. However, this is preceded by a very short introduction to neural networks and some of its terminology. For the purposes, neural networks are defined as models of real-world systems which are built by training a set of parameters. These parameters, which are called weights, describe a model that forms a mapping from a set of given values known as inputs to an associated set of values known as outputs. The process of finding the weights for the correct values is called training, and it is usually carried out by passing sets of input–output pairs through the model and adjusting the weights in order to minimize the error between the answer the network provides and the desired output. Once the weights have been set by suitable training, the model is able to produce answers for input values which are not included in the training data. The models do not refer to the training data after they have been trained, and in some sense they are a functional summary of the training data.
Approximating surface deformation from a buried strike-slip fault or shear crack in a mildly uneven half-space

A mathematical method is developed for approximating the elastostatic surface deformation fields (strains and displacements) produced by a buried strike-slip fault or long shear crack in a mildly uneven, homogeneous elastic half-space. The approximation scheme assumes that the wavelengths of surface topography are much longer than their respective amplitudes. The final solution is the method of images solution for a screw dislocation in a flat half-space plus a residual linear term from the uneveness of the half-space
PET resolution and image quality optimization study for different detector block geometries and DOI designs

Detector geometry for PET camera is one of the most important factors that will determine the resolution and image quality of the camera. In this work, the point source resolutions and hot-rod phantom images of the PET systems with different detector geometries are studied using Monte Carlo simulations. The PET systems been studied include a human brain PET and an animal PET with the typical detector ring dimensions but different crystal sizes, number of layers and block geometries. The detector ring diameter is 480 mm for the brain PET and 160 mm for the animal PET. The blocks been studied include 1-layer and 2-layer geometries. Two types of 2- layer blocks are studied, one has a half-crystal-offset (HCO) between the top and bottom layers to double the radial and axial samplings, and the other one is the regular (non-HCO) 2-layer block. The blocks in the brain PET is 40times40times20 mm3 and with a crystal matrix of 10times10, 13times13 and 15times15; the block in the animal PET is 20times20times10 mm3 and with a crystal matrix of 10times10, 12times12 and 14times14. Point source resolution curves (radial, tangential and axial) as the function of off-center distance are obtained with an F-18 source. Two Derenzo-like hot-rod phantoms are used for overall image quality test. The results show the significant improvement on the DOI effect with 2-layer block especially in the radial direction. Using the HCO block, the transaxial resolution is a little better than that of non-HCO block in the center region of the FOV but become worse with some distance from the center because of the sampling rates in different radial offset positions are not the same for these two types of blocks. Another important finding is that the axial resolution with HCO block is much better than that from 1- layer or 2-layer non-HCO block. Therefore using HCO block with larger crystal pitch can still achieve better image quality not only in transaxial plane at the outside region of a large FOV compare to the small crystal pitch with 1-layer block, but also better resolution in axial direction without additional cost, which might be a better choice for high-resolution PET camera design.
The Angostura Discourse

Offered assistance by President Petion of Haiti, Bolivar regrouped his forces and returned to Venezuela in 1816. His forces were augmented by the British legion, mainly Irish and Scottish volunteers, most of whom had acquired their military experience in the Napoleonic wars. He established his capital at Angostura (now Ciudad Bolivar) on the Orinoco River. The Dictator and Supreme Chief delivered the address below to the Second Congress of Venezuela, in the capital city. At the time, much of Venezuela, including Caracas, was still in the hands of Spanish forces.