cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modified potentiometric titration method to distinguish and quantify oxygenated functional groups on carbon materials by pKa and chemical reactivity

Abstract The presence and form of oxygenated functions on carbons lead to significant differences in material properties that impact surface chemistry, catalysis, electronic, and mechanical properties. Titration methodologies, specifically potentiometric and Boehm titrations, classify the types of acidic functions present on carbon materials into broad categories described as carboxylic, lactonic, and phenolic functions based upon the measured or estimated acid dissociation constants (pKa). The accuracy of these methods depends, however, on the estimates for pKa values and suffers when multiple possible species possess similar pKa values. Here, we improve upon past methods by combining potentiometric and chemical titrations, which involves identifying acidic functions by pKa values but also examining how functional groups react with alkaline titrants. Specifically, Bronsted acids like carboxylic and phenolic groups deprotonate reversibly when contacted with alkaline titrant solutions; however, lactonic functions undergo hydrolysis to form carboxylic acids and hydroxyls during identical treatments. Consequently, comparisons between sequential potentiometric titrations can be used to discriminate between functional groups by examining their pKa values but also their reactivity. Tests on probe compounds and functionalized carbon materials show our method successfully distinguishes lactones from other acidic functions on carbon surfaces and suggests the methodology complements other characterization techniques for carbon materials.
While Cubs Winning in Wrigley, New Battle Starts Outside

The Cubs and the MLB are seeking preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to stop vendors from selling counterfeit merchandise outside Wrigley Field during home games. The plaintiffs are also pushing for the defendants to surrender any profits, and pay the plaintiffs damages for “willful and intentional” use of the trademarked logos.
Understanding How the Perceived Usefulness of Mobile Technology Impacts Physics Learning Achievement: a Pedagogical Perspective

This study investigated how students’ and teachers’ pedagogical roles in mobile learning moderated the relationship between high school students’ perceived usefulness of mobile technology and the actual use frequency, as well as how students’ perceived usefulness impacted their physics learning achievement. We examined 803 high school freshmen who used 20 specific functions of tablets in physics learning for five months. Based on pedagogical roles students and teachers played, 15 of the 20 functions were classified into three pedagogical categories: five for student-led, five for teacher-led, and five for collaborative functions (Journal of Science Education and Technology; Zhai, Li, & Chen, 28: 310–320, 2019). Results indicate that students perceived the collaborative functions as the most useful ones compared to student- and teacher-led functions. Also, the use frequency of mobile functions was highly aligned with students’ perceived usefulness by pedagogical category, and the pedagogical category was found to moderate the association between the perceived usefulness and the actual use frequency. That is, the relationship between the perceived usefulness and the use frequency varied significantly across the three pedagogical categories. We also found the use frequency mediated the relationship between perceived usefulness and physics learning achievement particularly for the collaborative functions. The male and female students tended to have different perceptional accountability of mobile technology for their physics learning achievement. Specifically, male students’ perception of collaborative functions positively predicted their physics learning achievement, while female students’ perception of student-led functions positively predicted their physics learning achievement. Both male and female students’ perception of teacher-led functions negatively predicted their physics learning achievement.
Magnet System for the Quantum Electromechanical Metrology Suite

The design of the permanent magnet system for the new quantum electromechanical metrology suite (QEMMS) is described. The QEMMS, developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), consists of a Kibble balance, a programmable Josephson voltage standard, and a quantum Hall resistance standard. It will be used to measure masses up to 100 g with relative uncertainties below $2 \times 10^{-8}$ . The magnet system is based on the design of the NIST-4 magnet system with significant changes to adopt to a smaller Kibble balance and to overcome known practical limitations. Analytical models are provided to describe the coil-current effect and model the forces required to split the magnet into two parts to install the coil. Both models are compared to simulation results obtained with finite-element analysis and measurement results. Other aspects such as the coil design and flatness of ${Bl}$ profile are considered.
Addressing Research Fatigue in Energy Communities: New Tools to Prepare Researchers for Better Community Engagement

Two innovative educational products aimed at improving the quality of human-subjects research in and around energy-impacted communities are introduced here. The educational materials include: (1) a...
Non-cancer clinical trials start-up metrics at an academic medical center: Implications for advancing research.

Abstract The primary goal for any clinical trial after it receives a funding notification is to receive regulatory approval and initiate the trial for recruitment. Every trial must go through documentation and regulatory process before it can start recruiting participants and collecting data; this initial process of review and approval is known as the study start-up process (SSU). We evaluated the average time taken for studies to receive approvals. Using data from clinical trials conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center, various times to reach the start of the study were calculated based on the dates of individual study. The results of this analysis showed that chart review studies and investigator-initiated trials had a shorter time to activation than other types of studies. Additionally, single-center studies had a shorter activation time than multi-center studies. The analysis also demonstrated that the overall processing time consistently had been reduced over time.
Flood Insurance Market Penetration and Expectations of Disaster Assistance

Concern over resilience to natural disasters often focuses on moral hazard; expectations of disaster assistance may lead households in hazard-prone communities to forego insurance. This has been dubbed “charity hazard” in the literature on natural disasters. We examine flood insurance uptake using household level survey data and employ instrumental variables (related to local history of aid distribution and political economy) to address endogeneity of individual expectations of eligibility for disaster assistance. To avoid potential problems with reverse causation, we drop any households that could have received payments in the past (triggering mandatory flood insurance purchase). We find coastal households that exhibit positive expectations of disaster aid eligibility are 25 to 42 percent less likely to hold flood insurance. We estimate that charity hazard could be responsible for 817,000 uninsured homes in the United States corresponding to a loss of $526 million in forgone annual revenue for the National Flood Insurance Program.
Ten year comparative analysis of sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2

Bariatric surgery is the most effective modality to stably reduce weight and related comorbidities in patients suffering from class II and III obesity. Data comparing long-term safety and efficacy of the three most effective bariatric operations are limited in patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2, which complicate shared surgeon–patient decision making regarding optimal procedure selection. A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 who underwent biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) at our institution between 2009 and 2019. Data collected from patients’ electronic medical records included operative details as well as BMI and presence and resolution of obesity-related comorbidities at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 60 months post-operatively. Among 537 patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 who had a primary bariatric procedure, 93 patients underwent BPD/DS (17.3%), 341 patients underwent RYGB (63.5%), and 103 patients underwent SG (19.2%). BMI decreased by 23.7 kg/m2 in BPD/DS, 14.7 kg/m2 in RYGB, and 13.6 kg/m2 in SG cohorts at 60 months post-operatively (p < 0.0001). The greatest %TWL occurred in BPD/DS cohort (38.4%) followed by the RYGB (26.3%) and SG (23.6%) cohorts (p < 0.0001). The thirty-day complication rate was 12.9% for BPD/DS, 4.7% for RYGB, and 8.7% for SG (p = 0.015). Our study demonstrated that the BPD/DS is the most effective operation at long-term reduction of BMI and achieved highest %TWL while SG and RYGB had similar results at 60 months post-op. BPD/DS is associated with increased early and late surgical complications compared to RYGB and SG.
The easiest way to participate in Africa's exponential growth - in Africa, from Africa

Foreign direct investment in Africa has increased strongly over the past decade, and capital inflows are forecast to reach US$ 150-billion by 2015. Inevitably, this improvement in investor perceptions is the basis for global business leaders to include Africa in their strategic plans. However, this rapid expansion and capital investment are placing an intolerable pressure on the people, processes and technology currently available to organisations intending to participate in Africa's development.
Disposition of Chloramphenicol in Low Birth Weight Infants

Although infrequently an antibiotic of first choice for neonates, chloramphenicol (CL) may be indicated in selected instances of infection caused by aminoglycoside-resistant enterobacteriaciae, anaerobes, and ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae. Use of CL in neonates has been limited since the recognition that vascular collapse may occur as a consequence of dosage regimens tolerated by adults. With an assay that detects only active CL, we studied drug disposition in 13 low birth weight infants, eight between 1 and 8 days of age (group I), and five between 11 days and 8 weeks of age (group II). Peak serum CL concentrations ranged from 11.2 to 36.2 microgram/ml in group I and from 10.0 to 36.2 microgram/ml in group II, at doses ranging from 15 to 50 mg/kg/day, and 25 to 50 mg/kg/day, in groups I and II, respectively. Serum CL half-lives (T1/2) ranged from 10 to 36 hours in four of the eight group I patients; three of the remaining patients had T1/2 greater than 48 hours and the fourth patient accumulated CL in the interval between doses. T1/2 in group II ranged from 5.5 to 15.7 hours. Observed differences in T1/2 between groups I and II were statistically significant (P = .05) and could not be accounted for by factors other than postnatal age. These preliminary data suggest that although there appears to be an inverse relationship between CL T1/2 and postnatal age, there is sufficient variability in serum levels that monitoring must be performed in low birth weight infants treated with this drug.
Progressive learning for robot impedance control

A new approach to stable learning control by using an excitation scheduling technique is developed, and applied to an impedance learning problem for high-speed robotic assembly. In this paper, a novel technique is developed which guarantees stability by progressively increasing the level of system excitation. The new method termed "progressive learning" uses scheduled excitation inputs that allow the system to learn quasi-static, slow modes in the beginning, followed by the learning of faster modes. As learning progresses, the system is exposed to a broader range of input excitation, which nonetheless does not incur instability and unwanted erratic responses. This new method is presented in the context of high speed robotic assembly, where an impedance control law is learned with this excitation scheduling method. The basic concept of progressive learning is presented first, followed by a detailed description of the algorithm in the context of robotic assembly. Extensive simulation results and their interpretation and discussion are provided. The underpinning theory of progressive learning along with useful guidelines for scheduling the learning procedure are discussed.
Densely calcified gallstone treated successfully with piezoelectric lithotripsy

Abstract A patient with biliary pain and a densely calcified gallbladder stone was treated successfully with piezoelectric extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. The gallstone was fragmented to particles of less than 1–2 mm in diameter in a single 1-h session. The procedure was performed in the outpatient setting and required no anesthesia or analgesia. Follow-up sonograms showed that clearance of residual fragments from the gallbladder had occurred within 1 wk. Our encouraging treatment result suggests the need for future research to be directed towards broadening the currently recommended criteria for biliary lithotripsy, which currently exclude treatment of densely calcified gallstones.
Adoption of Hospital Information Systems in Nigeria

This paper provides detailed interpretation of results and implications of the findings in a serial study that assessed the barriers hindering adoption of hospital information systems in Nigeria. The discussion of the results elucidates commonalities derived from both methods of inquiry. Common standpoints among participants were that lack of funding support and unfavorable government policy constitutes the major barriers hindering the adoption of hospital information systems in Nigeria. Further, the high cost of full implementation of a hospital information system, inadequate human capital, corruption, and problems associated with poor infrastructure were factors identified as hindrances to the adoption of hospital information systems in Nigeria. Participants were in agreement that over-dependence on imported finished products and end-user resistance were not barriers to the adoption of hospital information systems in Nigerian. Recommendations were that the government needs to establish a robust policy and funding support in Nigeria to facilitate the implementation of e-health initiatives. The Nigerian government also needs to provide stable electricity, basic communication infrastructures, and Internet access to boost private initiatives in the adoption of health information technology across the country.
A evidência visual na ciência

Neste artigo, proponho uma formulacao do conceito de evidencia visual como um tipo particular de evidencia no qual condicoes contrafaticas analogas aquelas encontradas na percepcao estao presentes. Argumento que a evidencia visual pode ser produzida tambem por instrumentos cientificos, tais como diversos tipos de microscopios para os quais sabemos que as condicoes em apreco sao, de fato, satisfeitas. Como resultado, tanto a percepcao como as informacoes geradas por instrumentos que produzem evidencia visual satisfazem as mesmas propriedades epistemicas. Com base nesse fato, proponho, finalmente, uma forma de estender o observavel para alem da percepcao a olho nu, mas que ainda preserva, no interior de uma concepcao empirista, casos em que determinados objetos nao podem ser observados.
Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein mediated cell death is linked to impaired insulin signaling.

Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein, AD7c-NTP, accumulates in cortical neurons and co-localizes with phospho-tau-containing cytoskeletal lesions in brains with AD. Over-expression of AD7c-NTP results in increased neuronal death mediated by apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. Empirical studies demonstrating differential growth factor responses to AD7c-NTP led to us to further investigate the effects of insulin, insulin-like growth factor, type 1 (IGF-1), nerve growth factor (NGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulation on neuronal survival mechanisms in relation to AD7c- NTP expression. PNET2 human CNS-derived neuronal cells were stably transfected with a cDNA encoding AD7c-NTP or chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) whereby gene expression was regulated by an inducible promoter. In cells that expressed AD7c-NTP, insulin or IGF-1 stimulation was associated with reduced viability with increased levels of p53, p21/Waf-1, phospho-JNK, and phospho-tau, and reduced levels of Bcl-2 and phospho-Erk MAPK. In contrast, AD7c-NTP-transfected cells stimulated with NGF or PDGF, and CAT-transfected cells stimulated with any one of the four growth factors remained viable and had low levels of p53, p21/Waf-1, phospho-JNK, and phospho-tau, and abundant Bcl-2 and phospho-Erk expression. The results suggest that reduced survival in neurons that over-express AD7c-NTP may be mediated by impaired insulin/IGF-1 signaling, and that CNS neurons with abundant insulin or IGF-1 receptors may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of AD7c-NTP.
Resistive effects in the turbulent photosphere and chromosphere

We have investigated the role of finite resistivity effects in the photosphere and chromosphere. We demonstrate that turbulence in the photospheric conductivity gives rise to a resistive instability, as does the gradient in resistivity between the chromospheric layer of the Sun and the photospheric layer, which latter unstable mode is the well known tearing mode of Furth, Killeen and Rosenbluth. In both cases the calculations indicate time scales of the order of seconds or minutes, and we therefore believe that solar flares and spicules can be produced by finite conductivity instabilities. We also demonstrate that the finite resistive diffusion makes it difficult to maintain an initially force-free flux tube in the chromosphere unless the Alfven speed is sufficiently high and/or the flux tube is sufficiently thick. We also demonstrate that the magnetic fields in the turbulent photosphere becomes ‘trapped’ by high conductivity regions and this leads to enhancement of the resistive instabilities. Our analysis does not explain the origin of the high-energy particles in solar flares—for this the problem of dynamical acceleration must be investigated.
Estimation performance at low SNR: predictions of the Barankin bound

Nonlinear quantitation tasks can be viewed as parameter estimation problems, and task performance quantified by the variance of parameter estimates. At high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB), an absolute lower limit on the variance of any unbiased estimator, is a valid predictor of the variance. At low SNR, however, the CRB may not be achievable, i.e., the realizable parameter variances may exceed the CRB. The determination of this SNR threshold, below which efficient estimation is no longer possible, is of great importance for the optimization of quantitative imaging systems. One approach to this problem is calculating the Barankin bound (BB), which at low SNR predicts larger parameter variances than does the CRB. The computation of the BB, which requires selection of a set of test points in parameter space, presents numerical difficulties. Choosing the test points based on (Chi) 2-confidence regions mitigates the numerical problems and renders the BB calculation practical using very high precision calculations in a computer algebra system. Simulations of a nonlinear two-parameter quantitation task demonstrated that the BB can be used to determine the SNR threshold region were ML-estimation performance no longer achieves the CRB. The BB, however, does not converge at low SNR. Therefore, it cannot be used as an absolute standard of achievable performance, and detailed simulations are necessary to investigate optimized strategies for data acquisition and analysis at very low SNR.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The subfornical organ and carbachol-induced drinking.

Summary The initial report of Routtenberg and Simpson 32 indicated that exogenous carbamylcholine chloride (carbachol) applied directly to 3rd ventricle or subfornical organ elicited drinking behavior. The possibility that subfornical organ was the site of action of the carbachol was more thoroughly investigated in this study. The time course and total water consumed as a function of dose of carbochol directly applied to subfornical organ, 3rd ventricle, or lateral hypothalamus was compared. Latency until drinking was significantly shorter and amount of water consumed following carbachol application was significantly greater following subfornical organ applications, relative to either of the other two loci. It was also demonstrated that total ablation of subfornical organ greatly drinking elicited following ventricular carbachol application. This effect was not observed following lesions in tissue adjacent to subfornical organ. Localized destruction of subfornical organ produced partial adipsia on the first day following lesioning, and this effect was not observed following localized lesions in adjacent tissue. This depression in water intake was transient, however; on subsequent days water intake of subfornical organ-ablated animals did not differ from controls. These results are discussed in relation to previous research on carbachol-induced drinking. A role of the subfornical organ in the regulation of water intake was suggested and supported by available information on the physiological and morphological characteristics of this structure.
Vest restraint palsy

Abstract Objective: Evaluate by electrophysiologic methods the cause of arm weakness and numbness in an agitated patient who struggled against a vest restraint garment. Case Presentation: An agitated patient with encephalitis required vest restraint and developed bilateral numbness of hands and weakness of distal upper extremity muscles. He was of thin stature and had abrasions in the axilla from the restraint straps. Routine nerve conduction and needle electromyographic needle studies were used to document bilateral conduction block of ulnar and median nerves between the elbow and Erb's point with minimal denervation. Intervention: After identification of the vest restraint as the cause of neuropraxic palsies, adjustments were made to the vest straps. Results: The symptoms and clinical signs began to resolve with adjustment of the vest restraint straps and completely resolved after the patient was no longer encephalopathic and was discharged from the hospital. Conclusions: Compressive nerve lesions in the axilla should be recognized as a potential complication of vest restraint, especially in combative patients.
Relationship between balance and dual tracer isotopic measurements of calcium absorption and excretion

Calcium (Ca) absorption was measured by the balance method and the dual tracer isotopic method in 462 studies of adult women. Results for both fractional absorption and net Ca balance were similar using the 2 methods. Slightly higher values (mean difference, 0.031 +/- 0.092) were found for fractional absorption measured by the balance method than by the isotopic method. No differences in fractional absorption between the methods were seen at a fractional absorption less than 25%. Variability in the data was greater from the balance than the isotopic method. Endogenous fecal Ca excretion was directly related to Ca intake, with an estimated value of 70-80 mg/day for a Ca intake less than 200 mg/day. These findings support the usefulness and accuracy of isotope-based measures of mineral absorption. No evidence is found from these or previous data to suggest that the process of isotopic equilibration falsely increases estimates of absorption or endogenous excretion in tracer studies. Isotopic techniques allow studies of calcium absorption in diverse populations and evaluation of unique aspects of mineral metabolism not accessible through other techniques.
Retinohypothalamic tract development: Alteration by suprachiasmatic lesions in the neonatal rat

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the terminal nucleus of the retinohypothalamic (RH) tract, was ablated electrolytically in 2-day-old rats. Since previous studies have demonstrated that the earliest retinal fibers arrive on postnatal day 3 to 4 (refs. 4, 17), the lesions were inflicted prior to the formation of retinal connections. At day 25, [3H]proline was injected into the eye and autoradiography performed to determine if developing RH fibers would exhibit plasticity and innervate any hypothalamic nucleus other than the SCN. No evidence was found for the formation of anomalous retinal connections after complete, bilateral SCN lesions. Incomplete lesions, however, result in some alteration in the distribution of retinal fibers to the SCN. If a part of the caudal three-quarters of the SCN remains, RH projections form in a pattern dependent upon the size and location of the intact SCN fragment. These results indicate a high degree of specificity in developing RH fibers for their normal target tissue and a minimal capacity for plasticity in contrast with the various forms of neuronal reorganization observed after early destruction of other components of the visual system.
A study of the121,123Sb(p, d) reactions

Levels of120,122Sb have been observed using the121,123Sb(p, d) reactions atEp= 26.2 MeV. Thirty-two levels of120Sb and thirty-four levels of122Sb are observed below 2.0 MeV excitation with an energy resolution better than 25 keV FWHM. Experimental angular distributions were compared to DWBA calculations in order to extractl-transfers and spectroscopic factors. Strong mixing between the 3s1/2, 2d3/2, 2d5/2, and 1g7/2 neutron orbitals is observed in both nuclei. Nuclear Reactions:121,123Sb(p, d),E=26.2 MeV; measuredσ(Ed,θ).120,122Sb deduced levels,l,J,π, spectroscopic factors. Enriched targets, magnetic spectrometer.
Nuclear microprobe studies of the electronic transport properties of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) radiation detectors

Ion Beam Induced Charge Collection (IBICC) is a proven albeit relatively new method to measure the electronic transport properties of room temperature radiation detectors. Using an ion microbeam, the charge collection efficiency of CZT detectors can be mapped with submicron resolution and maps of the electron mobility and lifetime can be calculated. The nuclear microprobe can be used not only for characterizing detectors but also with the use of Time Resolved IBICC (TRIBICC) and lateral IBICC/TRIBICC we can deduce information about the electron and hole mobility and lifetime profiles, and about the variation of electric field along the detectors' axes. The Sandia Nuclear Microprobe has been and is being used routinely to characterize CZT detectors and measure their electronic transport properties. In this paper we will present the results of these measurements for different detectors. Furthermore the damage effects caused by the probing beam will be discussed and a simple model will be presented to explain the characteristic charge collection efficiency pattern observed after high dose irradiation.
CARs in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia – Ready to Drive

Adoptive transfer of antigen-specific T cells has been adapted by investigators for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). To overcome issues of immune tolerance which limits the endogenous adaptive immune response to tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), robust systems for the genetic modification and characterization of T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to redirect specificity have been produced. Refinements with regards to persistence and trafficking of the genetically modified T cells are underway to help improve potency. Clinical trials utilizing this technology demonstrate feasibility, and increasingly, these early-phase trials are demonstrating impressive anti-tumor effects, particularly for CLL patients, paving the way for multi-center trials to establish the efficacy of CAR+ T cell therapy.
Verbal satiation and changes in meaning of related items

Summary Four experiments were carried out in an investigation of the co-satiating effects of verbal repetition, and in an examination of the semantic relation of synonymity by use of a verbal satiation technique. In every experiment, and for every analysis, synonym-satiated items yielded less common associations than self-satiated items or control items satiated on unrelated words, with self-satiated items either yielding results no different from those for the control condition, or results intermediate between those for the other two conditions. In interpreting the above finding, which was taken to indicate that synonym satiation resulted in the greatest net change or loss in meaning, it was suggested that for the case of self-satiated items sensitization to some specific features of the word might work against the loss of meaning effect when S was required to give his association. No such counteracting circumstances would operate in the case of synonym-satiated words, and these might therefore be expected to yield less common associations than self-satiated items, as was found to be the case. A fifth experiment, with a very brief repetition period lasting only 4 sec, was run. Now the condition of synonym repetition did not yield less common associations than those obtained in the control condition (repetition of an unrelated word), and the condition of item repetition or self-satiation resulted in associations more common than those found in the other two conditions. These findings were regarded as consistent with the general interpretation offered above.
PRIORITIES IN FATE OF OIL SPILL RESEARCH

A 3-dimensional computer simulation model, based on rate data obtained from the literature, was used to evaluate the interaction of different types of petroleum hydrocarbons for a range of environmental conditions in the marine environment. Research efforts that will be required to gain understanding of the fate of oil in the ocean were categorized with respect to 5 major environmental reservoirs. Priority assessments were oriented toward critical areas where the present data are either not available or inadequate. Processes operating at the water surface are considered to be the most important. High priority research topics include spreading, mixing, dissolution, emulsification, photochemical degradation, bottom transport and degradation, sorption of oil on particulates, and coordinated studies of processes active in the nearshore zone.
Properties of the descending limb of the spinobulbospinal micturition reflex pathway in the cat

The micturition reflex is thought to be mediated by a spinobulbospinal reflex pathway passing through the rostral pons. This study examined the properties of the descending limb of the reflex pathway by monitoring the responses of the lower urinary tract to stimulation of the pons in the decerebrate cat. Electrical stimulation (300 microseconds pulses at 50 Hz intratrain frequencies, 300-500 ms trains, 0.5-15 V) in the region of the locus coeruleus (P 0.5-3.1/L 2-4/H to -2.75) was used to activate the descending excitatory pathway to the sacral parasympathetic nucleus. Low intensity stimulation induced small amplitude, short duration (14 +/- 11 cm H2O, 10 +/- 3 s) bladder contractions in a partially full bladder, whereas higher intensity stimulation induced large amplitude, long duration (69 +/- 29 cm H2O, 70 +/- 44 s) contractions which were similar to distension-induced reflex micturition contractions. The evoked bladder contractions coincided with a reduction in external urethral sphincter (EUS) EMG activity. Following bilateral L7-S3 dorsal root transection, electrical stimulation of the pons still elicited the small amplitude bladder contractions, but the larger amplitude, long duration micturition contractions were abolished. During these small evoked bladder contractions, a suppression of EUS activity still occurred following deafferentation, indicating a pontine mediated bladder/EUS synergy. It is concluded that the pons can initiate bladder contractions and coordinated bladder-sphincter activity, but that afferent feedback (via the dorsal roots) is needed to maintain the large amplitude micturition contractions.
Coexistence of chronic myelogenous leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia

A 55-year-old man is reported who initially developed chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Seven years later, after chemotherapy with chlorambucil, chronic myelogenous leukemia was diagnosed in addition to the chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Four previously reported cases with the same sequence of events are reviewed as well as cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia following chemotherapy alone.
Traveler's diarrhea.

With ease of travel, more and more people travel across the oceans to visit industrialized and developing countries. The change in travel behavior has brought about an increase in incidence of infectious diseases that previously were uncommon, and emergence of pathogenic organisms that have become resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics. A survey of international travelers indicated that commonly perceived problems of this group are drinking water, sanitation, and food.32 Incidence of traveler's diarrhea depends on risk factors, such as destination, season, mode of travel, type of accommodation, origin of traveler, age of traveler, and eating pattern of traveler.6 A 2-week incidence data report on Swiss travelers commonly is used to categorize the world into low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk regions (Fig. 1). A large study conducted in Jamaica showed that in more than 30,000 travelers, the attack rate of diarrhea was 23.6%, and the incidence was 20.9%.43 Health care providers need to update constantly their knowledge of epidemiologic issues that are related to health in travelers so that they can manage travel-related illnesses effectively. This article reviews the cause, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diarrhea associated with travel. Evaluation and treatment of persistent diarrhea in returned travelers are described.
Banach spaces whose duals are l1(Γ)

Abstract This paper studies certain classes of Banach spaces whose duals are abstract L spaces and, in particular, spaces whose duals are L spaces of purely atomic measures.
Co-expression of GRK2 reveals a novel conformational state of the µ-opioid receptor.

Agonists at the µ-opioid receptor are known to produce potent analgesic responses in the clinical setting, therefore, an increased understanding of the molecular interactions of ligands at this receptor could lead to improved analgesics. As historically morphine has been shown to be a poor recruiter of β-arrestin in recombinant cell systems and this can be overcome by the co-expression of GRK2, we investigated the effects of GRK2 co-expression, in a recombinant µ-opioid receptor cell line, on ligand affinity and intrinsic activity in both β-arrestin recruitment and [35S]GTPγS binding assays. We also investigated the effect of receptor depletion in the β-arrestin assay. GRK2 co-expression increased both agonist Emax and potency in the β-arrestin assay. The increase in agonist potency could not be reversed using receptor depletion, supporting that the effects were due to a novel receptor conformation not system amplification. We also observed a small but significant effect on agonist KL values. Potency values in the [35S]GTPγS assay were unchanged; however, inverse agonist activity became evident with GRK2 co-expression. We conclude that this is direct evidence that the µ-opioid receptor is an allosteric protein and the co-expression of signalling molecules elicits changes in its conformation and thus ligand affinity. This has implications when describing how ligands interact with the receptor and how efficacy is determined.
Factory ‘nuns’: the ethnicization of migrant labor in the making of Tibetan carpets

Many debates over migrant labor politics in contemporary China rely upon essentialist notions of ethnic identity. In contrast, I identify migrant labor politics as transnational processes through which women migrants from rural Tibet become ethnic workers. Drawing on post-colonial theories of ethnicity and on feminist literature on global capitalism, this article analyzes the uses of migrant laborers in a globalizing Tibetan carpet industry. First, I investigate the making of Tibetan carpets and the essentialist construction of ‘carpet weavers’ employed by Tibetan–Nepalese carpet factory owners, carpet dealers in New York City, and various participants in Lhasa, including party cadres, international non-government organizations (NGOs), and overseas investors. I argue that the functioning of the international carpet business relies upon the ethnicization of migrant labor, in which labor subjugation involves creating ethnic subjects and ethnicized boundaries. This form of labor commodification is driven by ...
FLOW PROPERTIES OF TOMATO CONCENTRATES

The flow properties of over seventy concentrates made from four cultivars of tomatoes were determined with a concentric cylinder viscometer. The apparent viscosity (100 s−1, 25°C) of the concentrates of each variety was proportional to the 2.5 power of the concentration (% total solids). The apparent viscosity of the Nova cultivar obeyed the Arrhenius temperature relationship; the activation energy for the concentrates was 2.3 ± 0.3 kcal/mole. The simple power law and the Casson model described satisfactorily the flow data of the concentrates but the power law gave higher correlation coefficients. The Herschel-Bulkley model with the Casson yield stress was also satisfactory but the correlation coefficients were lower than for the simple power law. The consistency index of the power law model also showed a power dependence on the concentration. The natural logarithm of the yield stress and the concentration could be correlated by a quadratic equation.
The determination of membrane permeability coefficients of canine pancreatic islet cells and their application to islet cryopreservation.

Sufficient numbers of pancreatic islets for successful allotransplantation can be achieved by storing and then pooling islets from several donors. Optimal MHC matching and infectious disease screening also require long-term storage of islets, and cryopreservation is currently the only practical approach. Cryopreservation protocols may be optimized by modeling the changes in cell volume and the associated damage incurred during cryoprotectant addition and dilution and during cooling and warming. The objective of the present work was to determine the following biophysical parameters of canine islet cells; the osmotically inactive cell volume (Vb), hydraulic conductivity (Lp), cryoprotectant permeability coefficient (Ps), and the reflection coefficient sigma. A determination of these parameters allows the simulation of cell responses using computer models. Islets were isolated by collagenase digestion and Euro-Ficoll purification. After 24 h culture, islets were dissociated into single cells using trypsin and 2 mM EGTA. The kinetic change in cell volume as a function of time after exposure to 2 M dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) was measured using an electronic particle counter at 22, 5, and -3 degrees C. At -11 degrees C, cells were preloaded with 1 M Me2SO and exposed to 4 M Me2SO to prevent the formation of ice in the working solution. Kedem-Katchalsky theory was used to describe the cell volume change kinetics, and a three-parameter curve fitting was performed using the Marquardt-Levenberg method to determine Lp, Ps, and sigma values. The Lp was determined to be 0.19 +/- 0.05, 0.037 +/- 0.005, 0.020 +/- 0.003, and 0.013 +/- 0.005 micron.min-1.atm-1 (mean +/- SD) at 22, 5, -3, and -11 degrees C, respectively. The Ps values were 1.05 +/- 0.50, 0.15 +/- 0.04, 0.096 +/- 0.028, and 0.067 +/- 0.029 x 10(-3) cm.min-1 at 22, 5, -3, and -11 degrees C, respectively. The sigma values were 0.81 +/- 0.16, 0.91 +/- 0.09, 0.80 +/- 0.21, and 0.98 +/- 0.04 at 22, 5, -3, and -11 degrees C, respectively. The temperature dependence or activation energy of Lp and Ps was calculated, using the Arrhenius equation, to be 12.7 and 13.5 kcal.mol-1, respectively. These permeability parameters were used to calculate cell water loss and the likelihood of lethal intracellular freezing during cooling, as well as both water flux and solute concentration gradients across the cell membrane during warming.
Half-lives of tin and antimony fission products with A = 128–133

Abstract The following half-life values have been determined: 128Sb isomers, 10·100 ± 0.05 min and 9· 10 ± 0·03 hr; 129Sn isomers, 2·5 ± 0·3 min and 7·3 ± 0·2 min; 129Sb, 4·41 ± 0·01 hr; 130Sn, 3·7 ± 0·3 min; 130Sb isomers, 6·33 ± 0·12 min and 40·9 ± 0·5 min; 131Sn, 1·08 ± 0·10 min; 132Sb, 3· 4 ± 0·1 min; 133Sb, 2·7 ± 0·1 min. Comparison of these and previously published values led to the following recommended values: 128Sn, 59·3 ± 0·5 min; 128Sb isomers, 10·0 ± 0·1 min and 9·1 ± 0·1 hr; 129Sn isomers, 2·5 ± 0·2 and 7·4 ± 0·3 min; 129Sb, 4.41 ± 0·05 hr; 130Sn isomers, 3·7 ± 0·2 min and ∼1·6 min; 130Sb isomers, 6·3 ± 0·2 min and 40 ± 1 min; 131Sn, 1·05 ± 0·10 min; 131Sb, 23·0 ± 0·2 min; 132Sn, 40 ± 1 sec; 133Sn, ∼2 sec; 133Sb, 2·6 ± 0·1 min. It has also been determined that 14 ± 3% of 3·7-min 130Sn decays to the 40-min 130Sb isomer and that the fractional cumulative yield of 1·05-min 131Sn is 0·33 ± 0·06 from thermal-neutron-induced fission of 235U.
The Relationship between Adirondack Lake pH and Levels of Mercury in Yellow Perch

Abstract Levels of total mercury in yellow perch Perca flavescens from Adirondack lakes were studied in relation to characteristics of the lakes to determine why some lakes had fish with higher concentrations of mercury. Almost all mercury in fish is in the form of methylmercury, which can pose significant health hazards to humans who consume such fish. Fish mercury concentrations and water chemistry data were analyzed from eight Adirondack lakes. Four lakes (Halfmoon Lake, Sand Pond, Rock Pond, and Upper Sister Lake) had pH values of less than 5.0. Four other lakes (Lake Adirondack, Kings Flow, Harris Lake, and Lake Kushaqua) had pH values of more than 7.0. The acidic lakes also had high levels of aluminum and low acid-neutralizing capacity relative to the neutral lakes. Yellow perch (n = 100) from the acidic lakes had significantly higher levels of mercury than did those (n = 102) from the neutral lakes (P < 0.001), and the total mercury concentration increased with both length and weight of the fish. W...
Effects of lectins, CRY1A/CRY1B Bt δ-endotoxin, PAPA, protease and α-amylase inhibitors, on the development of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae, using an artificial seed bioassay

An artificial maize seed bioassay was developed to evaluate potential resistance factors against the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae. Weevils reared in artificial seeds compared to those reared in whole maize seeds: (i) developed faster, (ii) had similar within-seed developmental mortalities, (iii) were lighter in weight upon emergence and (iv) oviposited the same number of eggs. Using this bioassay we found that E-64, a cysteine protease inhibitor, decreased the number of emerged adults per seed and delayed within-seed developmental time, suggesting that the rice weevil utilizes a cysteine protease to digest its dietary protein. Weevils fed inhibitors of trypsin and chymotrypsin, Bowman-Birk and Kunitz inhibitors respectively, developed normally. Para-amino-l-phenylalanine (PAPA), a non-protein amino acid implicated as an insect resistance factor in Vigna vexillata, was lethal at dietary levels of 0.2% (w/w) and higher. An extract from Amaranthus caudatus seeds delayed the developmental time of the rice weevil at dietary levels of 0.2% (w/w) and increased mortality at dietary levels of 1.0% (w/w). Several proteins tested, including Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin II, phytohemagglutinin extract containing common bean α-amylase inhibitor, pokeweed agglutinin, Bacillus thuringiensis CRY1A/CRY1B endotoxin, and an α-amylase inhibitor from wheat, had no effect on the rice weevil. The artificial maize seed bioassay was adapted by pelleting the seed for use with an ultrasonic insect feeding monitor to determine the finding activity of rice weevils as they developed from egg hatch to pupation.
Nest relocation and encounters between colonies of the seed-harvesting ant Messor andrei

Nest relocation in ants may be an attempt to escape areas of high competition. Encounters between colonies have been suggested to be the proximate cause of nest relocation. I examined the relation between nest relocation and encounters in a population of the seed-harvesting ant Messor andrei, a native of the western United States. Over 80% of colonies relocated their nest site during a year. Colonies moved up to ten times in a year, and new nest-sites were more distant from their nearest neighbour. However, encounters did not precipitate nest relocation. Relocation was not more likely to occur directly after an encounter, and colonies that moved did not experience more encounters than other colonies. Other possible cues for nest relocation, including predation, disease, microclimatic effects, and local resource depletion, are discussed.
Mechanism of Polymer-Induced Hemolysis: Nanosized Pore Formation and Osmotic Lysis

Hemolysis induced by antimicrobial polymers was examined to gain an understanding of the mechanism of polymer toxicity to human cells. A series of cationic amphiphilic methacrylate random copolymers containing primary ammonium groups as the cationic functionality and either butyl or methyl groups as hydrophobic side chains have been prepared by radical copolymerization. Polymers with 0−47 mol % methyl groups in the side chains, relative to the total number of monomeric units, showed antimicrobial activity but no hemolysis. The polymers with 65 mol % methyl groups or 27 mol % butyl groups displayed both antimicrobial and hemolytic activity. These polymers induced leakage of the fluorescent dye calcein trapped in human red blood cells (RBCs), exhibiting the same dose−response curves as for hemoglobin leakage. The percentage of disappeared RBCs after hemolysis increased in direct proportion to the hemolysis percentage, indicating complete release of hemoglobin from fractions of RBCs (all-or-none leakage) rat...
The Effect of Urethral Introducer Tip Catheters on the Incidence of Urinary Tract Infection Outcomes in Spinal Cord Injured Patients

AbstractPurpose: We attempted to determine whether an introducer tip catheter reduces urinary tract infection in spinal cord injured patients on intermittent catheterization.Materials and Methods: The introducer tip catheter bypasses the colonized 1.5 cm. of the distal urethra. Enrolled patients were prospectively entered into the study in alternate groups depending on whether they reflex voided: group 1-on intermittent catheterization with the introducer tip catheter but not voiding spontaneously or wearing an external urinary catheter, group 2-same as group 1 but using a nonintroducer tip catheter; group 3-on intermittent catheterization with the introducer tip catheter, voiding by reflex and wearing an external urinary catheter, and group 4-same as group 3 but using a nonintroducer tip catheter.Results: Statistical significance was shown when comparing patients using versus not using the introducer tip catheter regardless of whether an external urinary catheter was worn (p = 0.0121). A greater differen...