cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oil, Contact, and Conservation in the Amazon: Indigenous Huaorani, Chevron, and Yasuni

Texaco's discovery of commercially valuable oil in the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador ignited an oil rush that made the conquest of Amazonia a national policy imperative. Texaco (now Chevron), Ecuador, and missionaries from the Summer Institute of Linguistics carried out a campaign to "contact" and pacify Indigenous Huaorani (Waorani) who lived in areas slated for oil development. Chevron's operations also caused massive environmental damage which led to the ongoing, and increasingly complex, litigation now known as "the Chevron Ecuador Litigation." This Article begins with a brief review of events leading to the litigation and an analysis of petroleum policy, Amazon and indigenous lands rights policy, and environmental protection policy in Ecuador. A discussion of the litigation (in the United States, Ecuador and the Hague) follows. Recent developments in the litigation are shifting much of the focus of the legal and political contest from allegations about Chevron's misconduct to allegations of misconduct by the lawyers and activists who manage the litigation in Ecuador, and have eclipsed the situation on the ground, where environmental conditions continue to deteriorate and peoples' rights are still being violated. The Article then examines the situation of the Huaorani who are struggling to survive and protect what remains of their ancestral territory in Yasuni National Park and the Tagaeri-Taromenane Intangible Zone. It includes a discussion of the gap between promises in the law and the reality on the ground, and ways in which conservation bureaucracies and NGOs are also violating the rights the Huaorani and posing new threats to Huaorani territory and self-determination.
Sequence-dependent variability of DNA structure: influence of flanking sequences and fragment length on digestion by conformationally sensitive nucleases

DNase I and 1,10-phenanthroline-copper are two nucleolytic activities which are sequence-dependent in their scission reaction yet are not nucleotide-specific at their site of cutting. When these two nucleases are used to digest identical sequences in 18-base pair oligonucleotides and in restriction fragments 10-fold longer, the digestion patterns are similar at sequence positions in the interior of the fragment. Changes in reactivity to 1,10-phenanthroline-copper associated with mutational changes in the lac promoter in biochemically functional restriction fragments are duplicated in 18-base pair oligonucleotides. The structural variability of a given DNA sequence detected by these conformationally sensitive nucleolytic activities is therefore encoded in local sequence and not sensitive to fragment length. Digestion patterns of a repeated 7-base pair sequence within a longer sequence have the same characteristic except for the two nucleotides at the 5' periphery of the direct repeat. This conclusion is based on the digestion pattern of a restriction fragment which contains the polyadenylation site of the mouse immunoglobulin mu heavy chain gene. Two pairs of different 7-base pair sequences repeated in this fragment retain their distinctive digestion patterns. DNA sequences which comprise the binding sites of regulatory proteins, retain a characteristic structure only influenced at their peripheries by two to three bases of the flanking sequence.
A reference cross DNA panel for zebrafish (Danio rerio) anchored with simple sequence length polymorphisms

The ultimate informativeness of the zebrafish mutations described in this issue will rest in part on the ability to clone these genes. However, the genetic infrastructure required for the positional cloning in zebrafish is still in its infancy. Here we report a reference cross panel of DNA, consisting of 520 F2 progeny (1040 meioses) that has been anchored to a zebrafish genetic linkage map by 102 simple sequence length polymorphisms. This reference cross DNA provides: (1) a panel of DNA from the cross that was used to construct the genetic linkage map, upon which polymorphic gene(s) and genetic markers can be mapped; (2) a fine order mapping tool, with a maximum resolution of 0.1 cM; and (3) a foundation for the development of a physical map (an ordered array of clones each containing a known portion of the genome). This reference cross DNA will serve as a resource enabling investigators to relate genes or genetic markers directly to a single genetic linkage map and avoid the problem of integrating different maps with different genetic markers, as must be currently done when using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers, or as has occurred with human genetic linkage maps.
Evaluating dermal myelinated nerve fibers in skin biopsy

Although there has been extensive research on small, unmyelinated fibers in the skin, little research has investigated dermal myelinated fibers in comparison. Glabrous, non-hairy skin contains mechanoreceptors that afford a vantage point for observation of myelinated fibers that have previously been seen only with invasively obtained nerve biopsies. This review discusses current morphometric and molecular expression data of normative and pathogenic glabrous skin obtained by various processing and analysis methods for cutaneous myelinated fibers. Recent publications have shed light on the role of glabrous skin biopsy in identifying signs of peripheral neuropathy and as a potential biomarker of distal myelin and mechanoreceptor integrity. The clinical relevance of a better understanding of the role of dermal myelinated nerve terminations in peripheral neuropathy will be addressed in light of recent publications in the growing field of skin biopsy.
Open fractures of the diaphysis of the lower extremity in children. Treatment, results, and complications.

We reviewed the results of treatment of forty open diaphyseal fractures of the lower extremity in thirty-five children. The patients were between three and sixteen years old, and they had been managed between 1980 and 1988. The minimum duration of follow-up was one year. Eighty-six per cent of the patients had been injured in a motor-vehicle accident, and 74 per cent had associated injuries. Thirty-one of the fractures were Grade-II open or Grade-III open and seven were Grade-I open, according to the classification of Gustilo and Anderson. Two patients who had initially had a closed fracture were treated with a fasciotomy for a compartment syndrome, so these two fractures were included as open. Four other patients who had a Grade-II or III open fracture also needed a fasciotomy. All wounds were treated with immediate and repeat debridement and early soft-tissue coverage. Twenty-two fractures healed primarily. There were three early amputations. Twelve fractures that healed after six months were classified as delayed unions and three fractures were classified as non-unions because of the absence or arrest of healing, as seen on serial roentgenograms. Additional intervention was used to achieve union of eight of the fifteen fractures that had been classified as a delayed union or a non-union. Ten of the forty fractures were associated with infection, but osteomyelitis developed in only one patient. No patient had a growth arrest. Only one patient had a limb-length discrepancy that was more than two centimeters. Three early amputations and one delayed amputation were performed in patients who had a Grade-IIIC open fracture.
Structural influences impacting the role of the 9-ylidene bond in the electronic tuning of structures built upon 9-fluorenylidene scaffolds

A structure–effect study is presented pertaining to the HOMO–LUMO tuning of compounds built upon the 9-fluorenylidene scaffold frequently incorporated as a moiety within organic-based semiconducting materials. The results represent the first reported analysis employing an ensemble of spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and crystal structure data to elucidate and compare the electronic properties of 9-fluorenones, 9-fluorenylidenes, and 9-fluorenimine derivatives. The results also provide the first spectroscopically and crystallographically measured description of exciton coupling within 9,9′-bifluorenylidenes. The 9-ylidene bond is seen to play a key role impacting the electronic properties, and an examination of the effects of substituents, conjugation, heteroatoms, and steric strain on the 9-ylidene bond in a diverse set of structures with representative structural variations relevant to the HOMO–LUMO tuning is presented. Increasing conjugation decreased the HOMO–LUMO gap (HLG), increased the HOMO energy (E...
DNA sequence of a class I pseudogene from the Tla region of the murine MHC: recombination at a B2 alu repetitive sequence.

We have determined the DNA sequence of a BALB/cTla region class I gene from the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) that had been identified previously as encoding a murine antigen by DNA-mediated gene transfer. Analysis of the DNA sequence shows, however, that this gene, the T1c gene from theTlac genotype, could not encode a TL antigen or any other functional class I molecule due to the presence of numerous stop codons and frameshift mutations in the coding regions. This result suggests that the earlier transformation data may have been incorrect or perhaps that the clone containing the T1c gene contains sequences that induced expression of a serologically reactiveTla gene in the genome of the recipient L cell. The T1c gene is structurally related to the previously sequenced T13c gene that encodes a serologically defined TL antigen. The 3′ half of the T1c gene including exons 4, 5, 6, and the 3′ untranslated region has about 85% nucleotide similarity (including introns) with the corresponding parts of the T13c gene; however, the 5′ half of the T1c gene has little homology with the T13c gene. There is a sharp line of demarcation between the homologous and nonhomologous regions, and this border occurs precisely at a B2 Alu repeat sequence present in the T13c gene. This suggests that a recombination event took place here and that an Alu repeat sequence that is known to have characteristics of transposable elements played some role in a recombination or gene conversion event.
Contribution of Impaired Myocardial Insulin Signaling to Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in the Heart

Background— Diabetes-associated cardiac dysfunction is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, which may contribute to left ventricular dysfunction. The contribution of altered myocardial insulin action, independent of associated changes in systemic metabolism, is incompletely understood. The present study tested the hypothesis that perinatal loss of insulin signaling in the heart impairs mitochondrial function. Methods and Results— In 8-week-old mice with cardiomyocyte deletion of insulin receptors (CIRKO), inotropic reserves were reduced, and mitochondria manifested respiratory defects for pyruvate that was associated with proportionate reductions in catalytic subunits of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Progressive age-dependent defects in oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis with the substrate glutamate and the fatty acid derivative palmitoyl-carnitine were observed. Mitochondria also were uncoupled when exposed to palmitoyl-carnitine, in part as a result of increased reactive oxygen sp...
Reduction of timing jitter in a Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser by direct bleaching of a Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber.

A method for optical triggering of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser by direct bleaching of a Cr:YAG saturable absorber is described. This method involves the bleaching of a thin sheet of the saturable absorber from a direction orthogonal to the lasing axis using a single laser diode bar, where the Cr:YAG transmission increased from a non-bleached value of 47% to a bleached value of 63%. For steady state operation of a passively Q-switched laser (PRF=10Hz), the pulse-to-pulse timing jitter showed ~12X reduction in standard deviation, from 241 nsec for free running operation to 20 nsec with optical triggering.
Estimating coverage and power for genetic association studies using near-complete variation data

Although studies suggest that SNPs derived from HapMap provide promising coverage and power for association studies, the lack of alternative variation datasets limits independent analysis. Using near-complete variation data for 76 genes resequenced in HapMap samples, we find that coverage of common variation by commercial genotyping arrays is substantially lower compared to the HapMap-based estimates. We quantify the power offered by these arrays for a range of disease models.
Secretarial attitudes towards word processors as a function of familiarity and locus of control

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to investigate dimensions of secretarial anxiety, eagerness, and curiosity with respect to word processing equipment. Such variables as familiarity, formal training, physical proximity to the equipment, degree of influence in the decision to acquire a word processor, and frequency of use were seen as potential predictors of such attitudes. Additionally, two trait-like dimensions were measured, locus of control and complexity. Questionnaires were sent to 408 secretaries employed at a mid-western university. The response rate was 59 per cent (n = 241). People who had not used word processing equipment were more anxious than those individuals who had. Moreover, frequency of use for people with experience was related to greater change in anxiety levels. While familiarity reduced anxiety, it also tended to reduce curiosity. Frequency of word processor use was related to several variables. For instance, frequency of use was related to how positively the person evalu...
Sensitivity of Constrained Linear Inversions to the Selection of the Lagrange Multiplier

The influence of the choice of the Lagrange multiplier on constrained linear inversions is explored, with reference made to applications in inferring the columnar aerosol size distributions from spectral aerosol optical depth measurements. A range of the Lagrange multiplier is examined to find all positive solutions for the solution vector, which represents modifying factors to the assumed form of the size distribution. An iterative method is devised to constrain the calculations to consideration of only positive quantities and a requirement that the regression fit to data be consistent with measurement errors. The determination of the variances and covariances is formulated and applied to existing data sets for optical depth. Variances in the solution are found to be large for particle radii when the information content of the data is small.
Effects of Heat Treatment and Physical Processing of Cottonseed on Nutrient Digestibility and Production Performance by Lactating Cows

Abstract Four primiparous Holstein cows were used in an experiment with a 5 × 4 Youden square design. The effects of heat processing and particle size of cottonseed used in the diets of dairy cows were investigated. Dietary treatments were control (3.6% tallow, 4.5% casein), whole cottonseed, ground cottonseed, roasted whole cottonseed, and roasted ground cottonseed. Diets consisted of 55% corn silage, 1.54% urea, and cottonseed at 18.1% of dry matter. Cottonseeds were roasted at 149°C and steeped for 30 min. Roasting increased the amount of ruminally undegradable protein measured in vivo, the ratio of ruminal acetate to propionate, pH, and milk protein percentage. Ruminal digestibilities of organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber and biohydrogenation of fatty acids were reduced by roasting. The grinding of cottonseed increased the total tract digestibility of OM and N and tended to increase ruminally undegradable protein of cottonseed in vivo. Interactions between heat treatment and particle size of cottonseed revealed that roasted ground cottonseed resulted in the highest total tract digestibility of OM, N, and neutral detergent fiber. Utilization of cottonseed may be improved by heat or mechanical processing as was indicated by this study.
Particle representations for a class of nonlinear SPDEs

An innite system of stochastic dierential equations for the locations and weights of a collection of particles is considered. The particles interact through their weighted empirical measure, V, and V is shown to be the unique solution of a nonlinear stochastic partial dierential equation (SPDE). Conditions are given under which the weighted empirical measure has an L2-density with respect to Lebesgue measure. c 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. MSC: 60H15; 60K35; 35R60; 60G09
Optical absorption spectra of dilute sodium solutions in liquid methylamine

Abstract Optical absorption spectra of infinitely dilute sodium in methylamine are obtained at –50, –70 and –90°C. These spectra differ qualitatively from corresponding solvated electron spectra and are assumed to be intrinsic absorption bands attributable to solvated sodium anions. The notion of extended shape stability is applied in accounting for the thermal behavior of the band shapes.
1-O-acyl derivatives of glucose as non-penetrating inhibitors of glucose transport by hamster small intestine in vitro

Summary 1-O-Acyl derivatives of glucose are not transported by the hamster small intestine in vitro. These derivatives, however, are potent inhibitors of the glucose transport system. 1-O-Decanoyl glucose is a competitive inhibitor of β-methyl glucoside transport.
Preliminary Psychometric Evidence of the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System Teacher Rating Scale–Preschool

The aim of this study was to provide psychometric evidence related to the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System Teacher Rating Scale–Preschool form’s (BESS TRS-P) ability to identify emerging problems in preschool children. Reliability and validity associated with screener scores were compared by analyzing teacher ratings of approximately 700 preschool children from 11 public schools. The BESS TRS-P provided high levels of internal consistency and inter-rater reliability among respondents. Furthermore, the form showed high predictive and concurrent validity estimates that were statistically significant and in expected directions. The information could assist teachers and school administrators in feeling more confident in using the BESS TRS-P to screen young children for behavioral/emotional problems.
Advances in Astrocyte-targeted Approaches for Stroke Therapy: An Emerging Role for Mitochondria and microRNAS

Astrocytes are critical regulators of neuronal function and an effective target for stroke therapy in animal models. Identifying individual targets with the potential for simultaneous activation of multiple downstream pathways that regulate astrocyte homeostasis may be a necessary element for successful clinical translation. Mitochondria and microRNAs each represent individual targets with multi-modal therapeutic potential. Mitochondria regulate metabolism and apoptosis, while microRNAs have the capacity to bind and inhibit numerous mRNAs. By combining strategies targeted at maintaining astrocyte function during and following cerebral ischemia, a synergistic therapeutic effect may be achieved.
Model compounds for the active site selenocysteine of glutathione peroxidase: A 77Se NMR study

To test the feasibility of using 77Se NMR to distinguish between different proposed mechanisms of action of the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase, model compounds containing the proposed selenium moieties have been synthesized and their 77Se NMR spectra recorded. It was found that the difference in chemical shift between the two proposed resting states, selenol or selenenic acid, is approximately 1300 ppm. For the next step, oxidation by hydrogen peroxide, a much smaller difference of about 100 ppm was found between selenenic and seleninic acid species. The products of the second reaction step, selenide sulfide vs selenoxide sulfide, differed in chemical shift by about 470 ppm. It was concluded that, for two of the three states of the enzyme, 77Se NMR could, in principle, be used unambiguously to distinguish between the two proposed mechanisms.
Screening and bioassays for biologically-active substances from forty marine sponge species from San Diego, California, USA

Biologically-active substances were investigated from 35 demosponge species and 5 calcareous sponge species collected from intertidal or shallow subtidal habitats near San Diego, California, USA, from 1978 to 1980. Crude methanolic extracts of each species were tested for suppression of growth by bacteria (7 species) and a yeast. Antimicrobial activity was found in 26 Demospongiae and 2 Calcarea. Strong activity was found in 11 demosponges and, subsequently, 38 natural products with antimicrobial activity were isolated from 8 of these species (Aplysina fistularis, Dysidea amblia, Leiosella idia, Euryspongia sp., Toxadocia zumi, Axinella sp., Haliclona?cinerea and ?Pachychalina lunisimilis). Twenty-eight of these natural products (usually as pure compounds) were assayed for: (1) suppression of growth of marine fungi (3 spp.) and a red alga; (2) behavior modifications of invertebrate adults (4spp.); (3) toxicity to a goldfish; (4) inhibition of sexual reproduction of a brown alga; (5) inhibition of settlement and/or metamorphosis of late larvae or invertebrate juveniles (4spp.). Many of the natural products were also incorporated into pelleted fish food and tested for feeding-behavior modifications of fishes (5 spp.). Three of the compounds from Dysidea amblia were inactive in all tests. All other natural products were active in at least one assay, although none was active in all assays. The discussion relates the possession of biologically-active substances to the ecology of each sponge species; for example, sponges with antimicrobial substances are rarely overgrown.
Article VIII, Section 2(b), of the Fund Agreement and the Unenforceability of Certain Exchange Contracts: A Note

Exchange contracts which involve the currency of any member and which are contrary to the exchange control regulations of that member maintained or imposed consistently with this Agreement shall be unenforceable in the territories of any member. In addition, members may, by mutual accord, cooperate in measures for the purpose of making the exchange control regulations of either member more effective, provided that such measures and regulations are consistent with this Agreement.
Verapamil inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation and function in vitro

Abstract Calcium is a divalent cation which acts both as a cofactor for critical protein function and as a “second signal” to trigger cytosol events after membrane depolarization. The presence of calcium is critical to T-lymphocyte function. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker at the membrane level and may affect cytosol calcium-calmodulin as well. Verapamil effect was measured on two assays of lymphocyte proliferation (conconavalin A and phytohemagglutinin lectin and alloantigen stimulated) and on cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Verapamil inhibited proliferation at 10 −5 M doses and abrogated it at 10 −4 M . Verapamil interferes with critical calcium-mediated events in T lymphocyte proliferation and function. T-lymphocyte calcium channel blockade may be an effective immunosuppressive strategy.
An approach to anomalies in M-theory via KSpin

Abstract The M-theory field strength and its dual, given by the integral lift of the left-hand side of the equation of motion, both satisfy certain cohomological properties. We study the combined fields and observe that the multiplicative structure on the product of the corresponding degree four and degree eight cohomology fits into that given by Spin K-theory. This explains some earlier results and leads naturally to the use of Spin characteristic classes. We reinterpret the one-loop term in terms of such classes and we show that it is a homotopy invariant. We argue that the various anomalies have natural interpretations within Spin K-theory. In the process, mod 3 reductions play a special role.
‘It is better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission’: tourism development in an unregulated town

This study describes the state of a Costa Rican community as it is affected by tourism development. It suggests reasons for the current state of affairs and offers potential solutions to remedy this town's issues. By gathering data on location through the use of interviews with business owners, the issue of individual development versus community development is exposed. It provides a glimpse into the concept of group dynamics and collective action (or the lack of it), and offers some understanding about collective development in unregulated communities. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Very low attenuation of 9.3 Gc elastic waves in quartz at 4.2°K

Abstract Attenuation measurements on compressional elastic waves in quartz at 9.3 Gc/s and at 4.2°K reveal unexpectedly low values of the order of 10 -3 db/cm. The trend of our data for increasing lengths of sample suggest that most of the observed loss results from imperfect end faces, and that the true bulk attenuation may be less than 10 -4 db/cm at x-band frequencies.
Pyrazine analogues of dipyrrolylquinoxalines.

The synthesis of novel pyrazine derivatives bearing pyrrolic substituents is reported; the ability of these systems to bind certain biologically relevant anions in dichloromethane is also detailed.
Differential effects of withdrawal from chronic amphetamine or fluoxetine administration on brain stimulation reward in the rat--interactions between the two drugs.

Rationale: Withdrawal from chronic amphetamine administration is characterized by deficits in reward that resemble some symptoms of depression. Nevertheless, the effects of long-term administration and withdrawal from other drugs, such as fluoxetine, that have the potential to elevate mood in depressed individuals have not been characterized. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of withdrawal from chronic amphetamine or fluoxetine administration on central reward function. Furthermore, the effects of acute or chronic pretreatment with fluoxetine on responsiveness to an acute amphetamine challenge were examined to identify potential interactions between the two drugs. Methods: A rate-independent discrete-trial threshold procedure was used to characterize self-stimulation behavior in rats prepared with bipolar electrodes in the medial forebrain bundle. Results: Elevations in intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) thresholds, reflecting a decrease in the reward value of the stimulation, were associated with withdrawal from various chronic amphetamine treatment regimens (1–5 mg/kg, three injections per day for 1, 2, 4 or 6 days). The magnitude and duration of threshold elevations were proportional to the duration and dose of amphetamine treatment prior to withdrawal. In contrast, no alterations in ICSS thresholds were associated with withdrawal from chronic fluoxetine treatment (5 mg/kg/day for 15 days). While neither acute nor chronic administration of fluoxetine alone altered ICSS thresholds, chronic pretreatment with fluoxetine blocked the threshold-lowering effect of acute amphetamine administration (4 mg/kg), but acute pretreatment did not. Amphetamine-induced decreases in response latency, a measure of motor performance, were not affected by either chronic or acute fluoxetine pretreatment. Conclusions: The results of these experiments suggest that chronic fluoxetine treatment may induce adaptive changes in serotonergic transmission that, in themselves, do not alter the function of central reward processes, but may alter the ability of amphetamine to potentiate ICSS reward. In addition, the lack of change in ICSS thresholds during withdrawal from the chronic fluoxetine treatment regimen used suggests that withdrawal from all mood-altering drugs may not necessarily produce changes in central reward functions.
Numerical investigation of incompressible flow in grooved channels. Part 2. Resonance and oscillatory heat-transfer enhancement

Modulatory heat-transfer enhancement in grooved channels is investigated by direct numerical simulation of the Navier–Stokes and energy equations using the spectral element method. It is shown that oscillatory perturbation of the flow at the frequency of the least-stable mode of the linearized system results in subcritical resonant excitation and associated transport enhancement as the critical Reynolds number of the flow is approached. The Tollmien–Schlichting frequency theory that was presented in Part 1 of this paper is shown to accurately predict the optimal frequency for transport augmentation for small values of the modulatory amplitude, and the effect of the excited travelling-wave channel modes on the resulting temperature distribution is described. The importance of (non-trivial) geometry in the forced response of a flow is discussed, and grooved-channel flow is compared to (straight-channel) plane Poiseuille flow, for which no resonance excitation occurs owing to a zero projection of the forcing inhomogeneity on the dangerous modes of the system. For the particular grooved-channel geometry investigated, resonant oscillatory forcing at modulatory amplitudes as small as 20% of the mean flow results in a doubling of transport as measured by a time, space-averaged Nusselt number.
Adams's Quest for the Unity of Knowledge

In "Adams's Quest for the Unity of Knowledge," Karl Shaddox discusses Henry Adams's lesser known work, The Degradation of the Democratic Dogma, as a continuation of the historian's attempt at unifying knowledge in The Education. Whereas unification in The Education was proposed by historicizing force, whether religious or molecular, Adams's effort in The Degradation employed a scientistic approach to history. By expanding Gibb's research on the equilibrium of heterogeneous substances to account for social dynamics, Adams felt he had provided a universal explanation of material and intellectual change — and thus the elemental connection between matter and mind. Critical opinion has not been receptive to Adams's application of "The Rule of Phase," some asserting that The Degradation was not intended to be taken seriously. Adams was a subtle ironist, but given his historical instinct, it is difficult to conclude that this final work was an extended joke. Rather, the account of Adams's inability in The Degradation to accept limitations on human knowledge, should be read as an account of a paradigmatic shift in human perspective from plenary to partial knowledge of the world. Karl Shaddox, "Adams's Quest for the Unity of Knowledge" page 2 of 9 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 11.4 (2009):
Proliferative response and renewal of hepatic function following cocaine administration in mice

Experiments were undertaken to investigate the hepatic, temporal and spatial sequence of events following a single injection of cocaine, a known hepatotoxin. Centrilobular necrosis was induced in male mice (DBA/2Ha) 24 hr post-injection (PI). the time course of hepatic damage was monitored by assaying microsomal cytochrome P450 content, the activity of microsomal FAD-containing monooxygenase (FAD-M) and by determining the levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). Kinetics of the onset of DNA synthesis were determined by autoradiography of thin liver sections and the incorporation of 3H-methyl thymidine into perchloric-acid-precipitable material. There was no increase in the labelling index (LI) and thymidine (TdR) incorporation in the first 24 hr PI. the LI rose to 14.6% and TdR incorporation showed a 5-fold increase over control values 48 hr PI. Both indices declined slightly at 72 hr PI and returned to control values by 96 hr PI. In contrast, the cytochrome P450 content declined by 69%, the FAD-M activity dropped by 40% and the SGPT levels showed an 18-fold increase at 24 hr PI, coincident with cytological signs of necrosis. Although the patterns of recovery differed between these selected enzymes, normal values were attained by 96 hr PI. These results demonstrate that cell damage and hepatic dysfunction precede the onset of DNA synthesis and subsequent proliferation.
RATE OF STABILISATION OF SYSTOLIC BLOOD-PRESSURE FOLLOWING ADOPTION OF THE SUPINE POSTURE

A change in systolic blood-pressure was observed during the first 10 minutes of a series of successive measurements made in the supine posture. On the average this was a fall. The experimental findings are presented as group average plots and as frequency curves. Experiments in which manipulation, nervousness, and rest following activity were controlled suggested that none of these was the cause of this fall. The fall was produced by the change from the erect to the supine posture. The probable mechanism of the change and its significance in estimating resting blood-pressure in an individual are discussed. No comparable change was observed in diastolic blood-pressure.
Correlative Structural Biology: How to Investigate the Fine Details of Viral Structure

Commentary on Byeon, I.J.; Meng, X.; Jung, J.; Zhao, G.; Yang, R.; Ahn, J.; Shi, J.; Concel, J.; Aiken, C.; Zhang, P.; Gronenborn, A.M. Structural convergence between Cryo-EM and NMR reveals intersubunit interactions critical for HIV-1 capsid function. Cell 2009, 139, 780-790.
‘Spontaneous’ Variability of Oral Glucose Tolerance

During the course of an investigation of the carbohydrate metabolism of non-diabetic subjects we have been struck by the frequent occurrence of wide variations in the blood-sugar levels of individuals on repetition of the oral glucose tolerance test. Since this procedure is widely utilized under the impression of its consistency of results, it has seemed desirable to present our experience with it. Despite the multiplicity of investigations in this field, there is a surprising dearth of information concerning the stability of this reaction in the individual subject and under comparable conditions. In a study of two normal subjects with blood samples taken every few minutes, Bock, Schneider and Gilbert (1) found that on duplicate determinations there was a difference of 25 mg. per cent in one and 62 mg. per cent in the other at coincident points on the glucose tolerance curve. Glassberg's (2) series on 5 patients showed an average variation between two readings extending from 13 mg.
The Phenomena and Conditions of Sex-change in the Oyster (O. edulis) and Crepidula

IN NATURE of December 15, 1921 (vol. 108, p. 500), I described an experiment from which a sexually mature male oyster was obtained of a maximum age of 23 weeks, from the River Blackwater. In this experiment a fair number of oysters born in 1921 were obtained on specially prepared shells kept isolated in the sea with the view of determining the conditions of sex at a known age at later intervals. With the aid of a Government grant from the Royal Society it has been possible to follow up the experiment this year with the following highly interesting results. The young oysters this year were found mostly to be sexually mature or had recently spawned. In one sample of 32 examined from shells on the south shore, River Blackwater, most of the individuals were males, but one large individual (28 × 31 mm.) was found on July 3 to be carrying thousands of young oyster embryos. This same individual was taken to Plymouth and kept alive; on July 18 it was again examined and found to be practically ready to spawn as a male.
Gastritis Promotes an Activated Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell with a Phenotype Reminiscent of a Cancer-Promoting Cell

Background Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) promote gastric cancer in response to gastritis. In culture, BM-MSCs are prone to mutation with continued passage but it is unknown whether a similar process occurs in vivo in response to gastritis.
Parallel Multi-core Verilog HDL Simulation Using Domain Partitioning

While multi-core computing has become pervasive, scaling single core computations to multi-core computations remains a challenge. This paper aims to accelerate RTL and functional gate-level simulation in the current multi-core computing environment. This work addresses two types of partitioning schemes for multi-core simulation: functional, and domain-based. We discuss the limitations of functional partitioning, offered by new commercial multi-core simulators to speedup functional gate-level simulations. We also present a novel solution to increase RTL and functional gate-level simulation performance based on domain partitioning. This is the first known work that improves simulation performance by leveraging open source technology against commercial simulators.
Learning person-specific models for facial expression and action unit recognition

A key assumption of traditional machine learning approach is that the test data are draw from the same distribution as the training data. However, this assumption does not hold in many real-world scenarios. For example, in facial expression recognition, the appearance of an expression may vary significantly for different people. As a result, previous work has shown that learning from adequate person-specific data can improve the expression recognition performance over the one from generic data. However, person-specific data is typically very sparse in real-world applications due to the difficulties of data collection and labeling, and learning from sparse data may suffer from serious over-fitting. In this paper, we propose to learn a person-specific model through transfer learning. By transferring the informative knowledge from other people, it allows us to learn an accurate model for a new subject with only a small amount of person-specific data. We conduct extensive experiments to compare different person-specific models for facial expression and action unit (AU) recognition, and show that transfer learning significantly improves the recognition performance with a small amount of training data.
Comparative effects of gibberellic acid and N6-benzyladenine on dry matter partitioning and osmotic and water potentials in seedling organs of dwarf watermelon

Apical applications of 0.2 μg N6-benzyladenine (BA), a synthetic cytokinin, or 5 μg of gibberellic acid (GA3) significantly enhanced hypocotyl elongation in intact dwarf watermelon seedlings over a 48-h period. Accompanying the increase in hypocotyl length was marked expansion of cotyledons in BA-treated seedlings and inhibition of root growth by both compounds. A study on dry matter partitioning indicated that both growth regulators caused a preferential accumulation of dry matter in hypocotyls at the expense of the roots; however, GA3 elicited a more rapid and greater change than did BA. In comparison to untreated seedlings, BA decreased total translocation of metabolites out of the cotyledons. Water potentials of cotyledons and hypocotyls were determined by allowing organs to equilibrate for 2 h in serial concentrations of polyethylene glycol 4000. Osmotic potentials were determined by thermocouple psychrometry. During periods of rapid growth in cotyledons and hypocotyls of BA-treated seedlings and in hypocotyls of GA-treated seedlings, the osmotic potential increased and the turgor pressure decreased in relation to untreated seedlings, indicating that cell wall extensibility was being increased. Osmotic potentials were lower in hypocotyls of GA-treated than in those of BA-treated seedlings, even though growth rates were higher in GA-treated seedlings, indicating that the latter treatment was generating more osmotically active solutes in hypocotyls.
Site-specific habituation of insulin-induced hypoglycemic induction of Fos immunoreactivity in glucocorticoid receptor: immunopositive neurons in the male rat brain

Current studies show that type II glucocorticoid receptor (GR) stimulation during recurring insulin-induced hypoglycemia (RIIH) results in diminished hypoglycemic activation of neurons in discrete CNS metabolic structures, namely the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), hypothalamic paraventricular (PVH) and dorsomedial (DMH) nuclei, and nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). The present work utilized immunofluorescence histochemistry to evaluate the reactivity of GR-expressing neurons in characterized hypothalamic, thalamic, and hindbrain metabolic structures to glucoprivation, and to determine if antecedent hypoglycemic stimulation of central GR decreases Fos protein expression by these neurons. Groups of adult male rats were injected subcutaneously with one or four doses of the intermediate-acting insulin, Humulin NPH, on as many days, while controls received diluent only. Rats injected with four doses of insulin were pretreated by intracerebroventricular administration of the selective GR antagonist, CP-475222, or vehicle alone prior to insulin doses 1-3. All animals were sacrificed by trancardial perfusion 2 h after injections on day four of the study. Mean numbers of GR-immunoreactive (-ir) neurons did not differ between groups injected with diluent versus one dose of insulin in each structure evaluated, but were significantly elevated above baseline on the fourth day of RIIH in the LHA and DMH, but not the PVH, VMH, ARC, thalamic paraventricular (PVT), or NTS. Counts of GR-ir-positive neurons in each site were similar between groups treated with CP-475222 or vehicle icv during RIIH. While mean numbers of GR-plus Fos-ir neurons in the PVH, DMH, LHA, and NTS, but not the PVT were significantly elevated after one dose of NPH, this increase was abolished in each site by RIIH. Pharmacological antagonism of central GR during antecedent hypoglycemia prevented RIIH-associated habituation of Fos colabeling of GR-expressing neurons in the PVH, DMH, and LHA. These data show that RIIH increases nuclear immunolabeling for GR in discrete CNS metabolic structures, evidence that recurring metabolic stress may amplify receptor-mediated genomic regulatory function in local neurons. The results also demonstrate that GR-containing neurons in the LHA, DMH, PVH, and NTS react to hypoglycemia by induction of the Fos stimulus-transcription cascade, and that precedent stimulation of central GR is critical for RIIH-associated habituation of this functional response in the former three sites.
Golf Course Revenue Management: A Study Of Tee Time Intervals

Golf courses have two strategic levers, round duration control and demand-based pricing, that they can deploy in a revenue management programme. Before embarking on a revenue management programme, golf courses must first clearly define their capacity. This study uses simulation to study the most controllable factor of capacity: the tee time interval. Intuitively, reducing the interval between parties will lead to an increase in revenue; however, this paper shows that interval reductions may actually lead to decreased revenue. Research in revenue management (RM) has previously addressed the theoretical and practical problems facing airlines and hotels, among other industries, but has given little attention to the golf course industry (Kimes, 1989; Weatherford and Bodily, 1992). The golf course business is similar enough to hotel and airline operations that golf courses should be able to apply RM principles (Kimes, 2000). Industries using RM generally measure their performance by calculating their revenue (or contribution) per available time-based inventory unit. For example, hotels calculate their revenue per available room-night (RevPAR), airlines determine their revenue per available seat-mile (RevPAS), and restaurants rely on revenue per available seat-hour (RevPASH). Based on this logic, golf courses should measure their revenue per available tee-time (RevPATT), but the definition of availability is not as precise as in other industries. The number of available tee times is affected by both controllable and uncontrollable factors. Controllable factors include the length of a round of golf, the dispatching rule used, maintenance and the tee time interval. Uncontrollable factors include the number of hours of daylight and weather. Unless golf course operators have a clear definition of their capacity, they will not be able to measure the performance of their RM systems. This paper focuses on the most easily controllable factor affecting course capacity: the tee time interval. A dynamic simulation model was developed, which can be used to quantify the trade-offs in determining an appropriate tee time interval. Intuitively, reducing the time interval between parties might lead to an increase in throughput and revenue; however, tee time interval reductions may amplify the effects of the variations in pace of play and result in a reduced RevPATT.
External ion accumulation of low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) by electrospray ionization fourier transform mass spectrometry

The combination of electrospray ionization (ESI) with Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) is a powerful tool in characterizing synthetic polymers. ESI permits the generation of intact, multiply charged high mass ions, whereas FTMS provides high mass resolution and correspondingly improved mass accuracy. However, under “nonideal” empirically determined operating conditions, a mass discrimination effect occurs as a function of accumulation time that can result in significant differences for calculated average mass values (Mn, Mw) and polydispersities. A multidimensional tuning process to eliminate the deleterious effects of mass bias is demonstrated for several sodiated poly(ethylene glycol) samples containing oligomers with masses covering a 600–3350 Da mass regime. In addition, experiments are performed in order to elucidate the possible mechanism(s) that cause the mass discrimination effect. It is proposed that extended collisions (reactive and nonreactive) occur in the hexapole to alter the energy (and velocity) distributions of the ions before injection into the trap. By choosing higher skimmer potentials, ions over a narrower energy “window” are preselected in the hexapole and exhibit lower overall mass bias effects.
Use of a centrifugal bioreactor for cartilaginous tissue formation from isolated chondrocytes.

Although a centrifugal bioreactor (CCBR) supports high-density mammalian suspension cell cultures by balancing drag, buoyancy, and centrifugal forces, to date anchorage-dependent cultures have not been tried. Also, steady or intermittent hydrostatic pressures of 8 to 500 kPa, and shears of 0.02 to 1.4 N/m2 can be simultaneously applied in the CCBR. This article demonstrates the use of a CCBR to stimulate chondrogenesis in a high-density culture. At 3 weeks, histological results show even distribution of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen, with 1,890 ± 270 cells/mm2 cell densities that exceed those of 1,470 ± 270 in pellet cultures. Analysis of collagen content reveals similar levels for all treatment groups; 6.8 ± 3.5 and 5.0 ± 0.4 μg collagen/μg DNA for 0.07 and 0.26 MPa CCBR cultures, respectively, in contrast to 6.6 ± 1.9 values for control pellet cultures. GAG levels of 5.6 ± 1.5 and 4.1 ± 0.9 μg GAG /μg DNA are present for cultures stressed at 0.07 and 0.26 MPa, respectively, in comparison to control pellet cultures at the 8.4 ± 0.9 level. Although results to date have not revealed mechanical stress combinations that stimulate chondrogenesis over unstressed controls, system advantages include continuous culture at cell densities above those in the pellet, precise medium control, the ability to independently vary multiple mechanical stresses over a broad range, and the flexibility for integration of scaffold features for future chondrogenesis stimulation studies. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011