cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward Broader Inclusion of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in the Clinical Laboratory

Mass spectrometry is widely appreciated as a powerful analytical method, characterized by high sensitivity and high information content, that can be used for both the qualitative and quantitative analysis of nearly all types of molecules. In light of this power, I would propose that mass spectrometry is ready for a substantially larger role in routine clinical analyses. In this issue of Clinical Chemistry , Muddiman and coworkers from the Mayo Clinic present reports in which two levels of mass spectrometry experiments are used to detect and characterize transthyretin variants by accurately measuring the molecular mass of the intact protein isolated from human serum (1)(2). As described by the authors, transthyretin variants can form amyloid in tissues that may ultimately damage those tissues. Currently, diagnosis is generally made after symptoms appear by detecting the amyloid in biopsies of the affected tissue. The report by Nepomuceno et al. (1) uses a sophisticated dual-source electrospray ionization-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry system to make the transthyretin molecular mass measurement and detect the variant protein. These FT-ICR instruments are the current pinnacle of mass spectrometry performance, vastly exceeding any other instrument type in all relevant issues of merit, including resolution, sensitivity, and mass range. The power of the FT-ICR instrument, and the unique dual-ion source designed and developed by this group (3), is used to carry out an experiment in which the molecular mass of the intact transthyretin protein is measured with an extraordinary mass accuracy of <3 parts per million (i.e., mass accuracy to within 0.05 Da for the 13 761-Da protein). The result of this mass accuracy is illustrated by both the proper detection of several known transthyretin variants and the detection and characterization of a novel double-mutant based on a 2-Da mass difference relative to the wild-type …
A magnet current monitor for gyrotron magnet power supplies

Gyrotrons are widely used in Electron-Cyclotron Heating systems (ECH) to heat electrons in plasmas. Modern gyrotrons require a precise magnetic field for proper operation which is supplied by an electromagnet with multiple windings. The current for the electromagnet is provided by multiple high-current power supplies. The loss of any one of the power supplies during operation can cause significant and expensive damage to the gyrotron. An independent power supply monitoring system can prevent damage should a magnet power supply fail. This paper presents a magnet current monitor system capable of measuring and monitoring five magnet currents simultaneously. It provides limit tests, an interlock output for power supply failures and a status display for the operator. A self-test feature is included and the measurements and status can be examined through an Ethernet connection. The rapid advance of inexpensive microcontroller technology has led to the development of small microcontroller platforms and associated code libraries that have dramatically decreased the costs and development time required for such projects. This paper describes the use of a popular open-source software, open-hardware platform for the design and fabrication of the magnet current monitor.
Nuclear Import of Microinjected Influenza Virus Ribonucleoproteins

Abstract Influenza virus ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) devoid of the matrix protein (M1) were isolated and Introduced into the cytoplasm of CHO and MDCK cells by microinjection. The injected vRNPs were found to be imported into the nucleus, and the RNA was transcribed. Their uptake into the nucleus was ATP-dependent, inhibited by antibodies to the nuclear pore complex, unaffected by the prior acidification of the vRNPs, and not inhibited by amantadine. The results showed that for productive infection, all the early stages of the viral entry pathway (receptor interaction, endocytosis, acid exposure, and membrane fusion) can be bypassed. Once the vRNPs are stripped of M1 and separated from each other, they are competent for import into the nucleus by constitutive cellular processes. Second, the results showed that while the amantadine block for incoming virus is manifested at the level of nuclear entry of the vRNPs, the actual import event per se is not effected. The results are consistent with a recent hypothesis that amantadine inhibits a step needed to prime the core for uncoating, which takes place before the virus has reached the cytosol.
Nonlinear interaction of radiation belt electrons with electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves

[1] The rapid loss of radiation belt electrons in the main phase of geomagnetic storms is believed to be aided by EMIC waves, and is usually analyzed with quasi-linear theory. However, even moderate EMIC wave intensities easily cause resonant electrons to respond nonlinearly, with drastically different results. We map out the region of nonlinear behavior with a single parameter, and show that both the direction and magnitude of scattering can be estimated by analytical expressions. The nonlinear interactions typically lead to advection toward large pitch angles, rather than diffusion toward the loss cone. This is expected to reduce the overall loss rate and greatly affect the distribution of trapped electrons.
Modeling and numerical simulation of particulate flows by the Eulerian–Lagrangian approach

Abstract In this paper we present an Eulerian–Lagrangian numerical simulation (LNS) scheme for particulate flows. The overall algorithm in the present approach is a variation of the scheme presented earlier. In this numerical scheme we solve the fluid phase continuity and momentum equations on an Eulerian grid. The particle motion is governed by Newton's law thus following the Lagrangian approach. Momentum exchange from the particle to fluid is modeled in the fluid phase momentum equation. Forces acting on the particles include drag from the fluid, body force and the interparticle force that prevents the particle volume fraction from exceeding the close-packing limit. There is freedom to use different models for these forces and to introduce other forces. In this paper we have used two types of interparticle forces. The effect of viscous stresses are included in the fluid phase equations. The volume fraction of the particles appear in the fluid phase continuity and momentum equations. The fluid and particle momentum equations are coupled in the solution procedure unlike an earlier approach. A finite volume method is used to solve these equations on an Eulerian grid. Particle positions are updated explicitly. This numerical scheme can handle a range of particle loadings and particle types. We solve the fluid phase continuity and momentum equations using a Chorin-type fractional-step method. The numerical scheme is verified by comparing results with test cases and experiments.
Constriction of bovine vasculature caused by endophyte-infected tall fescue seed extract is similar to pure ergovaline.

Ergovaline has been extensively used to study vasoactive effects of endophyte- (Neotyphodium coenophialum) infected tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum). However, initial results indicated that an extract of toxic tall fescue seed (E+EXT) is more potent than ergovaline alone in a right ruminal artery and vein bioassay. The E+EXT induced a greater contractile response than an equal concentration of ergovaline alone in the ruminal artery of heifers (P = 0.018). This led to a hypothesis that other compounds in the seed extract contribute to vasoconstriction. Thus, experiments were conducted to determine if vasoactivity of an E+EXT is different from a mixture of ergot alkaloids (ALK; ergovaline, ergotamine, ergocristine, ergocryptine, ergocornine, ergonovine, and lysergic acid) of similar concentrations and to determine if the vasoactivity of an E+EXT differs from an endophyte-free tall fescue seed extract (E-EXT). Segments of lateral saphenous vein and right ruminal artery and vein were collected from Holstein steers (n = 6) shortly after slaughter. Vessels were cleaned of excess connective tissue and fat and sliced into segments that were suspended in a multimyograph chamber with 5 mL of continually oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer, equilibrated for 90 min, and exposed to a reference compound (120 mM KCl for ruminal vessels and 0.1 mM norepinephrine for saphenous vein). Increasing concentrations of each treatment (E+EXT, E-EXT, ALK, and ergovaline) were added to the respective chamber every 15 min after buffer replacement. Data were normalized as a percentage of maximal contractile response of the reference compound and fit to a sigmoidal concentration response curve. Ergovaline, ALK, and E+EXT induced similar responses in the saphenous vein, ruminal artery, and ruminal vein. The E+EXT displayed a smaller EC(50) (half maximal effective concentration) than ergovaline or ALK in the saphenous vein and ruminal vein (P 0.1). Data from this study indicate that ergovaline is largely responsible for the locally induced vasoconstriction of bovine vasculature observed with endophyte-infected tall fescue.
Using Web 2.0 Technologies to Help During Flood Events

[1] Monday, 4 October 2010, dawned as a typical gray and rainy autumn day in Varazze, a seaside town with 14,000 inhabitants and a complex orography in the northern Italian region of Liguria, about 30 kilometers west of Genoa. With the weather forecast calling for 30 millimeters of rain that day, Massimo Lanfranco, a geologist who is a doctoral student at the University of Turin, had planned to travel to Turin from Varazze. But after driving his child to elementary school, he decided to stay home because the rain had picked up. The storm—with peak rainfall of 30 millimeters in 15 minutes, 96 in 1 hour, and 300 in 6 hours—led to a number of flash floods and debris floods that inundated the coastal plain, destroyed some houses, and caused about 50 landslides in the region but, fortunately, no fatalities. It was one of the worst storms in Italy in the past several decades, according to Lanfranco.
Role of FimW, FimY, and FimZ in Regulating the Expression of Type I Fimbriae in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

Type I fimbriae in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium are surface appendages that facilitate binding to eukaryotic cells. Expression of the fim gene cluster is known to be regulated by three proteins—FimW, FimY, and FimZ—and a tRNA encoded by fimU. In this work, we investigated how these proteins and tRNA coordinately regulate fim gene expression. Our results indicate that FimY and FimZ independently activate the PfimA promoter which controls the expression of the fim structural genes. FimY and FimZ were also found to strongly activate each other's expression and weakly activate their own expression. FimW was found to negatively regulate fim gene expression by repressing transcription from the PfimY promoter, independent of FimY or FimZ. Moreover, FimW and FimY interact within a negative feedback loop, as FimY was found to activate the PfimW promoter. In the case of fimU, the expression of this gene was not found to be regulated by FimW, FimY, or FimZ. We also explored the effect of fim gene expression on Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1). Our results indicate that FimZ alone is able to enhance the expression of hilE, a known repressor of SPI1 gene expression. Based on our results, we were able to propose an integrated model for the fim gene circuit. As this model involves a combination of positive and negative feedback, we hypothesized that the response of this circuit may be bistable and thus a possible mechanism for phase variation. However, we found that the response was continuous and not bistable.
Cement Seawater Battery Energy Harvester for Marine Infrastructure Monitoring

This paper presents a novel corrosion-based energy harvester designed for long-term operational deployments in marine infrastructure monitoring. A statistical approach is utilized to characterize the output power, and the results are applied as the basis for designing a complimentary low-power sensor node. Furthermore, statistical analyses are performed on the sensor node operation to ensure robust operation over a range of design and environmental parameters. This paper concludes with a method for estimating the volumetric size of the active component in the energy harvester for long-term operation by analyzing the power consumption of the power electronics.
Oral endoscopy as an aid to diagnosis of equine cheek tooth infections in the absence of gross oral pathological changes: 17 cases

Summary Reasons for performing study: Removal of cheek teeth in all but the aged horse or pony is a serious undertaking with potentially deleterious sequellae. Rigid endoscopy permits detailed examination of the oral cavity and erupted dental tissues and has the potential to assist in the correct identification of the diseased tooth. Objectives: To document oral endoscopic findings associated with infected equine cheek teeth in cases without gross oral pathological changes and thereby determine the usefulness of rigid oral endoscopy as an aid to diagnosis of such infections. Methods: Records of all cases of equine cheek tooth removal attempted under standing sedation over a 38 month period were examined. Cases were excluded from the study if apical infection was associated with gross dental fracture, malalignment, diastema/periodontal pocketing or supernumerary teeth. Endoscopic and radiographic findings were analysed and correlated to diseased tooth location. Results: Seventeen cases of apical dental infection fitting the inclusion criteria (nonresponsive to antibiotics and with no gross oral abnormality of the affected arcade) were identified in which oral endoscopy was used as an aid to diagnosis. In 15 (88%) of the 17 cases, oral endoscopy revealed abnormalities specific to the infected tooth. Focal gingival recession (10/17 cases) was the most common visible abnormality associated with infected teeth. Conclusions: In the majority of cases of apical infection of equine cheek teeth there is visible intraoral evidence implicating the affected tooth. Potential relevance: Oral endoscopy facilitates detailed examination of the mouth and should be considered along with radiography as an important aid to diagnosis in cases of equine dental infection.
Estimation of Theophylline Clearance During Intravenous Aminophylline Infusions

Abstract The utility of predicting theophylline clearance ( CL ) from two serum concentrations obtained during continuous intravenous aminophylline infusion was examined in 16 stable, adult patients. Blood for theophylline measurement was obtained 0, 6, and 12 h after starting infusions and, thereafter, at 12-h intervals. EMIT was used to assay samples in multiple runs as they were obtained. Later, each sample was reassayed by EMIT within a single run. Bayesian least-squares regression and the algebraic method of Chiou were used to predict CL using the 0,6 and 0,12 h concentrations. "Actual” CL was measured by nonlinear least-squares regression of all concentrations obtained during prolonged infusions. Prediction bias and precision were assessed by calculating mean percent error (PCE) and mean absolute percent error (APCE), respectively. A three-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to examine the effect of the method of CL prediction, assay procedure, and time interval between samples on PCE and APCE. Bayesian predictions were less biased and slightly more precise than Chiou predictions. The assay procedure had no effect on bias but precision was improved using a single-assay run. Predictions were less biased and more precise with 0,12 h versus 0,6 h data. Serum samples for theophylline measurement should be obtained after initiating constant intravenous aminophylline and again 8–12 h later in stable, adult patients. Prediction of CL with either of the concentration-based methods studied will then allow safe and rapid adjustment of dosage to achieve therapeutic serum concentrations.
Achievement: The importance of industriousness

The emphasis on innate talent as the basis for outstanding achievement underestimates the importance of hard work. Learned industriousness helps supply the sustained effort required for superior achievement. The goal of having a productive, well-educated citizenry can be furthered by rewarding students for high effort and attending carefully to their individual educational needs.
Haystack, a web-based tool for metabolomics research

Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LCMS) has become a widely used technique in metabolomics research for differential profiling, the broad screening of biomolecular constituents across multiple samples to diagnose phenotypic differences and elucidate relevant features. However, a significant limitation in LCMS-based metabolomics is the high-throughput data processing required for robust statistical analysis and data modeling for large numbers of samples with hundreds of unique chemical species. To address this problem, we developed Haystack, a web-based tool designed to visualize, parse, filter, and extract significant features from LCMS datasets rapidly and efficiently. Haystack runs in a browser environment with an intuitive graphical user interface that provides both display and data processing options. Total ion chromatograms (TICs) and base peak chromatograms (BPCs) are automatically displayed, along with time-resolved mass spectra and extracted ion chromatograms (EICs) over any mass range. Output files in the common .csv format can be saved for further statistical analysis or customized graphing. Haystack's core function is a flexible binning procedure that converts the mass dimension of the chromatogram into a set of interval variables that can uniquely identify a sample. Binned mass data can be analyzed by exploratory methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) to model class assignment and identify discriminatory features. The validity of this approach is demonstrated by comparison of a dataset from plants grown at two light conditions with manual and automated peak detection methods. Haystack successfully predicted class assignment based on PCA and cluster analysis, and identified discriminatory features based on analysis of EICs of significant bins. Haystack, a new online tool for rapid processing and analysis of LCMS-based metabolomics data is described. It offers users a range of data visualization options and supports non-biased differential profiling studies through a unique and flexible binning function that provides an alternative to conventional peak deconvolution analysis methods.
Integrated-Circuit Antennas On Thin Membranes

Abstract: At millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths, integrated-circuit antennas are often mounted on a substrate lens to eliminate losses due to substrate modes. This approach takes advantage of the fact that antennas on dielectrics are more sensitive to radiation from the substrate side. However, coupling efficiencies for these antennas have been limited to about 25% because of poor patterns and dielectric losses. We have solved these problems by fabricating the antennas on 1-μm thick silicon-oxynitride membranes (below left). The membranes are fabricated by depositing a 1-μm silicon-oxynitride layer on both sides of a silicon wafer by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. An opening is defined on the back of the wafer by patterning the silicon oxynitride with photoresist and etching it in a buffered-HF solution. Then the silicon is etched in an ethylenediamine-pyrocatechol solution until the transparent membrane is exposed. The membrane is much thinner than a wavelength, so that the antenna effectively radiates in free space. This approach eliminates the substrate lens and thus greatly reduces the dielectric losses, and allows the use of free-space antenna designs and techniques. The antenna patterns are bidirectional, so a reflector is needed to make the patterns unidirectional. The peak of the pattern is normal to the wafer.
Assessing the "evolving standards of decency:" perceptions of capital punishment for juveniles.

This study examines whether public opinion parallels recent judicial and statutory changes limiting the applicability of capital sentences to offenders younger than 18 years old. Two hundred and thirty-five undergraduate students were administered a vignette of a capital case and asked to render a sentence of death or life in prison without parole. Results revealed that age of the defendant was not a significant predictor of sentence type; participants sentenced 16- and 17-year-old defendants similarly to 18- and 25-year-old defendants. Therefore, public opinion appears inconsistent with legal and legislative changes to abandon the practice of executing juveniles. Findings also suggested that perceived level of the defendant's responsibility and general opinion about capital sentences significantly predicted sentence type; perceptions of greater responsibility were associated with an increased likelihood of a death sentence. However, participants did not perceive differences in responsibility between juvenile and adult defendants. In addition, participants were more comfortable sentencing defendants to death compared with life in prison. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
STRUCTURE OF THE METHYL RADICAL

Carbon-13 hyperfine splittings equal to 41±3 gauss have been observed in the paramagnetic resonance of a mixture of C12H3 and C13H3 radicals produced by x-irradiation of CH3I at 77°k. The observed splitting provides strong evidence that CH3 is a planar molecule.
Deliberative Discourse Enacted: Task, Text, and Talk

Abstract This paper is drawn from a larger study investigating high school students' participation in group discussions of public issues and the nature of those discussions. An interpretive approach was adopted to research democratic, deliberative discussion, viewed through a multidisciplinary lens influenced by sociolinguistics, speech communication, literacy, and social education. Deliberative discussion is described through identifying emergent forms of discourse moves, textual relationships, and participatory norms that groups constructed. Identified in a microanalysis of small group discussions was a complex synthesis of intellectual, relational, and textual dimensions of group talk. A key finding was the complex interplay of three particular cognitive strategies that supported focused and sustained discussion. Transcript excerpts from one group's focused discussions are shared to illustrate the key findings. The findings point toward the importance of understanding the complexity of student group di...
Evaluation of Toluidine Blue for Measuring Erythrocyte Membrane Loss during in Vivo Ageing

A simple method using a cationic dye, toluidine blue (TB), to quantify changes of red cell membrane area has been developed and tested for its validity. After incubating a glucose-depleted red cell suspension with a fixed quantity of TB at 37 degrees C for 10 min, the remaining TB was measured spectrophotometrically at 640 nm. Using this technique, we were able to show differences in TB uptake by populations of young and old red cells. The exact mechanism for TB uptake by the red cells is not clear. Treatment of the cells with bromelin, papain and trypsin reduced the uptake of TB, but neuraminidase and ficin had little or no effect. No inhibition of TB removal by red cells was observed using heparin, D-glucose, glucuronic acid, or N-acetylglucosamine.
Characterization of Glycosylation Sites of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

The epidermal growth factor receptor is a transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates the cellular responses to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α). In this study of the human EGF receptor naturally expressed in A431 cells, the glycosylation sites of the full-length, membrane-bound receptor and of a secreted form of the receptor were characterized by mass spectrometry. Our data show that the naturally expressed human EGF receptor is fully glycosylated on eight of the 11 canonical sites; two of the sites are not glycosylated, and one is partially glycosylated, a pattern of site-usage similar but not identical to those reported for the recombinant human EGF receptor heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. We also confirm the partial glycosylation of an atypical NNC site first identified in the receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. We show that an additional canonical site in the secreted form of the receptor is fully glycosylated. While the pattern of glycosylation is the same for the sites shared by the full-length and the secreted forms of the receptor, the oligosaccharides of the full-length receptor are more extensively processed. Finally, we provide evidence that in addition to the known secreted form of the receptor, a proteolytic cleavage product of the receptor corresponding to the full extracytoplasmic, ligand-binding domain is present in the conditioned medium.
Spatialchromatic foveation for gaze contingent displays

Spatially variant resolution method has been widely explored for Gaze Contingent Displays (GCDs). Recently several studies suggested that spatial chromatic foveation can further improve the sampling efficiency and save computational resources and communication bandwidths in GCDs. In this paper, we explore the spatial variance of the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) of the human visual system (HVS) to examine the potential of spatialchromatic foveation in GCDs. The proposed algorithm reveals that, not only the spatial resolution, but also the chrominance complexity can be monotonically degraded from the center of the field of view (FOV) to the periphery of a GCD. A perceptually-based spatialchromatic foveation metric is derived. Applying the proposed hue-resolution foveation metric, we demonstrate that over 65% of bandwidth can be saved.
HIGHER‐LEVEL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE RECENT EUTHERIAN ORDERS: MORPHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

— Diverse morphological evidence from both living and fossil taxa suggests several higher-level groupings of the Recent orders of eutherian mammals. The strongest hypotheses closely relate rodents and lagomorphs within Glires, proboscideans and sirenians within Tethytheria, hyracoids and tethytheres within Paenungulata, chiropterans and dermopterans, and pholidotans and edentates. Somewhat weaker evidence supports groupings of Glires with macroscelideans, primates and tree-shrews with bats and flying lemurs (Archonta), and all Eutheria excluding pangolins and edentates (Epitheria). There is some tenuous evidence for the monophyly of all modern ungulate orders (including cetaceans), and for the division between artiodactyls and other ungulates. Rather than providing only a confusing and unresolved picture of higher eutherian relationships, comparative morphology and paleontology offer some compelling hypotheses that comprise a framework for studies of macromolecular traits.
Temperature dependence of conductivity of silicon-silicon dioxide interface

Abstract Conductivity of a silicon-silicon dioxide interface has been measured as a function of temperature. From the data the activation energies of the impurity levels introduced by the various ambient and heat treatments are estimated. Knowledge of surface charge density and carrier mobility is used to calculate the surface parameters. Based on the quenching experiments, a mechanism for the various effects observed has been suggested. Some other electrical properties of the system are discussed in the light of these observations.
Large scale air traffic surveillance using an IMM estimator with assignment

In this paper we present the development and implementation of a multisensor-multitarget tracking algorithm for large scale air traffic surveillance based on the IMM state estimator combined with a 2-dimensional assignment for data association. The algorithm can be used to track a large umber of targets from measurements obtained with a large number of radars. The use of the algorithm is illustrated on measurements obtained from 5 FAA radars, which are asynchronous, heterogeneous and geographically distributed over a large area. Both secondary radar data (beacon returns from cooperative targets) as well as primary radar data (skin returns from non-cooperative targets) are used. The target IDs from the beacon returns are not used in the data association. The surveillance region includes about 800 targets that exhibit different types of motion. The performance of the IMM estimator is compared with that of the Kalman filter. A number of performance measures that can be used on real data without knowledge of the ground truth are presented for this purpose. It is shown that the IMM estimator performs better than the Kalman filter. The advantage of fusing multisensor data is quantified. It is also shown that the computational requirements in the multisensor case are lower than in single sensor case.
Association of Testosterone and Estradiol Deficiency with Osteoporosis and Rapid Bone Loss in Older Men

Context: The clinical value of measuring testosterone and estradiol in older men with osteoporosis and of measuring bone mineral density (BMD) in older men with testosterone or estradiol deficiency is uncertain. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the association of testosterone and estradiol deficiency with osteoporosis and rapid bone loss in older men. Design: This study was a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis. Setting: The study was conducted at six U.S. centers of the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men study. Participants: The study population consisted of 2447 community-dwelling men aged 65 yr or older. Main Outcome Measures: Total testosterone deficiency was defined as less than 200 ng/dl. Total estradiol deficiency was defined as less than 10 pg/ml. Osteoporosis was defined as femoral neck or total hip BMD T-score of −2.5 or less. Rapid bone loss was defined as 3%/yr or more. Results: Prevalence of osteoporosis in men with deficient and normal total testosterone was 12.3 and 6.0...
Co-composting of alkaline tissue digester effluent with yard trimmings.

Abstract Alkaline digestion of animal carcasses is gaining popularity as a method of disposing of animals because of its very effective pathogen control and general ease of operation. Once completed, the resulting high-strength effluent can be released into the municipal sewer systems. In some cases where the municipal system is unable to handle this high-strength wastewater, alternate methods of treatment are required. Co-composting with a low-moisture substrate such as yard trimmings can be an effective option. This paper reports the results of absorption tests to determine the amount of digester effluent (from the Tissue Digestor™ process) that can be added to yard waste before leachate production begins. In addition, a low dosage of liquid effluent was added to yard trimmings and composted in laboratory bioreactors. Results show that leachate production begins when 0.6 L-effluent is added per kg-unamended yard waste at an original moisture content of 55.6%. The amount of leachate produced increases exponentially following the empirical equation: leachate in mL/kg = 0.145 e6.007Effluent dosage in L/kg (valid in the effluent addition range of 0–1.2 L/kg). Composting of yard waste with effluent showed that the initial pH did not inhibit microbial activity up to 9.39 pH. Variability was high and there was no statistically significant difference in dry matter degradation between treatments (measured range was 1.3–6.0% of initial dry matter). Final compost had nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of approximately 1% and 0.1%, respectively. The potassium concentration increased with increasing effluent addition and was 1.84% in the 0.2-L/kg treatment. All regulated heavy metals were several-fold below US EPA limits.
Discrimination and generalization of leaf damage by blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata)

Blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) responded to projected black-and-white silhouettes of cherry leaves that were either undamaged or were damaged by either cryptic caterpillars that disguise leaf damage due to their feeding or by noncryptic caterpillars that do not disguise leaf damage due to their feeding. Pecks to the key on which the images were projected were reinforced only if interresponse times fell within specified temporal boundaries. These boundaries were different in the presence of the two types of leaf damage. Following training with one exemplar of each damage type, the jays correctly categorized novel instances of both types. They categorized novel undamaged leaves as if they were examples of leaves showing damage by cryptic caterpillars. Results suggest that the jays can readily discriminate and generalize to new members of a polymorphous stimulus class. The results suggest that techniques for the study of concept formation in animals can be applied to an animal’s ability to categorize stimuli that are involved in a potential prey-predator relationship.
Metrizations of orthogonality and characterizations of inner product spaces

Characterizations of real inner product spaces among normed linear spaces have been obtained by exploring properties of and relationships between various orthogonality relations which can be defined in such spaces. In the present paper the authors present metrized versions of some of these properties and relationships and obtain new characterizations of real inner product spaces among complete, convex, externally convex metric spaces.
Conservation tillage: best management practice for nonpoint runoff

Decisionmakers are in the process of selecting remedial measures for controlling nonpoint pollution runoff. Conservation tillage (CT) is being looked to as one of the major recommended practices. Many different systems exist and vary in the amount of crop residue left and soil roughness produced. Therefore, varying results occur in terms of yield and potential water quality impacts. Differences vary with type of tillage system, soils, geographic region, and the farmer's management. The purpose of this review is to provide material to decisionmakers that points out the assets and liabilities of the various CT systems. Tillage effects on soil characteristics and plant growth are presented and include a discussion of soil moisture and temperature, weed and insect control, nutrient availability, and yields. Water quality aspects are addressed through a discussion of the effects CT systems have on sediment, water, pesticide, and phosphorus loss.
Comments on the “Isolation, Identification and Synthesis of a Specific-behaviour-inducing Brain Peptide”

DURING the past six years a remarkable series of publications has appeared, claiming the transfer of various specific learned behaviours from animal to animal by i.p. injection of extracts made from brains of trained donors. These are cited in the latest paper1, in which Ungar and his colleagues propose an amino acid sequence for a pentadecapeptide isolated from the brains of donor rats trained to avoid a dark box. Injection of this material into untrained recipient mice is alleged to transfer the learned dark avoidance. The molecule has been named scotophobin, after the Greek words meaning “fear of the dark”.
Apparatus for the Preparation of Sealed Samples for NMR

Many times when measuring the NMR spectra of certain compounds it is necessary to protect the sample from atmospheric oxygen or water. The effect of dissolved oxygen on the NMR spectrum is well known.1 It may also be necessary or desirable to obtain the NMR spectrum with the sample compound in an appropriate solvent together with a reference standard. These considerations are particularly important when obtaining reference spectra of high-purity standard-sample compounds.
A novel and effective PECVD SiO/sub 2//SiN antireflection coating for Si solar cells

It is shown that sequential plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of SiN and SiO/sub 2/ can produce a very effective double-layer antireflection (AR) coating. This AR coating is compared with the frequently used and highly efficient MgF/sub 2//ZnS double layer coating. The SiO/sub 2//SiN coating improves the short-circuit current (J/sub SC/) by 47%, open-circuit voltage (V/sub OC/) by 3.7%, and efficiency (Eff) by 55% for silicon cells with oxide surface passivation. The counterpart MgF/sub 2//ZnS coating gives similar but slightly smaller improvement in V/sub OC/ and Eff. However, if silicon cells do not have the oxide passivation, the PECVD SiO/sub 2//SiN gives much greater improvement in the cell parameters, 57% in J/sub SC/, 8% in V/sub OC/, and 66% in efficiency, compared to the MgF/sub 2//ZnS coating which improves J/sub SC/ by 50%, V/sub OC/ by 2%, and cell efficiency by 54%. This significant additional improvement results from the PECVD deposition-induced surface/defect passivation. The internal quantum efficiency (IQE) measurements showed that the PECVD SiO/sub 2//SiN coating a absorbs fair amount of photons in the short-wavelength range ( >
Public Choice, Agricultural Economics, and the Public Sector: A Public Sector Consumer's View

velopment of public choice theory. In the public sector we can assist in applying, testing, and perhaps rethinking the applicability of the theory to public choice issues. It is a pleasure to be invited to share with the agricultural economics profession my view of public choice issues from my present role as a public sector consumer of public choice theory and methodology. Under a time and space constraint I have attempted to maximize the number of issues presented in hopes of portraying a variety of challenges and opportunities to agricultural economists who are interested or currently engaged in public choice. The issues are: the application of existing marginal analysis theory to public policy and expenditure issues at the state and local level, the need for a new theory of public goods and services, and the need for effective institutions for citizen participation in public planning and decision making.
Atheroprotective role of interleukin-6 in diet- and/or pathogen-associated atherosclerosis using an ApoE heterozygote murine model.

Abstract Background Pathogens have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory atherosclerosis. Given the pleiotropic role of interleukin-6 in the regulation of cytokines, lipid homeostasis, vascular remodeling, and apoptosis we hypothesized that IL-6 plays an important role in development and progression to inflammatory atherosclerosis. Methods and results To explore the role of IL-6 in inflammation- and infection-associated atherosclerosis, 10-week-old ApoE +/− -IL-6 +/− and ApoE +/− -IL-6 −/− mice fed either high fat diet or regular chow diet were inoculated intravenously, once per week for 14 or 24 consecutive weeks with 50μl live Porphyromonas gingivalis ( P.g. ) (10 7 CFU) or vehicle (normal saline). Animals were euthanized at 24 weeks of age (14 weeks injection) or 34 weeks of age (24 weeks injection). Histomorphometric analysis of atheromatous lesions, en face analysis over the aortic tree, immunohistochemistry for macrophages and smooth muscle cell, TUNEL staining for apoptotic cells, serum amyloid A (SAA) levels, serum lipids and glucose level, serum cytokines were obtained. ApoE +/− -IL-6 −/− mice showed a significant increase in atheromatous lesions in proximal aorta and aortic tree compared to ApoE +/− -IL-6 +/− mice for all conditions (chow diet and P.g. -inoculated, high fat diet and P.g. -inoculated, high fat diet and vehicle-inoculated) at 14 weeks and greater at 24 weeks. SAA levels from ApoE +/− -IL-6 −/− mice were significantly higher than ApoE +/− -IL-6 +/− mice. IL-6 deficiency led to profound changes in plaque composition evidenced by increased macrophage infiltration, apoptosis, lipid content and decreased smooth muscle cell mass reflecting an unstable plaque phenotype. Array analysis revealed increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in ApoE +/− -IL-6 −/− mice compared to ApoE +/− -IL-6 +/− mice, irrespective of diet or inoculation. Conclusion The genetic deficiency of IL-6 was found to enhance the formation of diet- and/or pathogen-associated atherosclerotic plaques and suggests that IL-6 may play an atheroprotective role.
Separable red-green and luminance detectors for small flashes

Abstract Detection contours were measured in L and M cone contrast coordinates for foveal flashes of 200 msec duration and 2.3, 5, 10 and 15 min arc diameter on a bright yellow field. The test flash consisted of simultaneous incremental and decremental red and green lights in various amplitude ratios. At all sizes, the most sensitive detection mechanism was not a luminance mechanism, but rather a red-green mechanism that responds to the linear difference of equally weighted L and M cone contrasts, and signals red or green sensations at the detection threshold. Both temporal and spatial integration were greater for red-green detection than luminance detection. A coincident, subthreshold , yellow flash (a luminance pedestal) did not affect the threshold of the red-green mechanism. Such a pedestal is a sum of equal L and M cone contrast—it represents a vector parallel to the red-green detection contour and thus is expected not to stimulate directly the red-green mechanism. When suprathreshold, the coincident pedestal facilitated chromatic detection by ~2 × at all tested sizes; intense pedestals did not mask chromatic detection. This insensitivity to intense luminance pedestals further indicates that the red-green mechanism has fixed spectral tuning with balanced opponent L and M contrast inputs. This view of fixed spectral weights contrasts with the “variable tuning hypothesis”, which postulates that the weights change with spatial-temporal variations in the test stimulus. The red-green mechanism, when facilitated by the suprathreshold luminance pedestal, can account for the color discrimination of small, slightly suprathreshold, incremental monochromatic flashes, so it is not necessary to postulate an array of detectors with variable spectral tuning for small flashes.
Changes in protein kinase C in early cardiomyopathy and in gracilis muscle in the BB/Wor diabetic rat

Hyperglycemia can upregulate protein kinase C (PKC), which may be an important mediator of the progression from normal heart and muscle function to diabetic myopathy in the myocardium and skeletal muscle in type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDM). We evaluated this possibility during the early stage of IDM in BB/Wor diabetic (D) rats and age-matched BB/Wor diabetes-resistant (DR) rats. Interventricular septal thickness, E wave peak velocity of tricuspid inflow (both minimum and maximum), and left ventricular (LV) weight index were increased, and the rate of change in LV pressure (LV dP/dt) decreased in D rats subjected to M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography and hemodynamic recording of heart rate, LV pressure (LVP), + LV dP/dt, -LV dP/dt, and LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in vivo and in vitro 41 days after the onset of hyperglycemia. Whole ventricle basal PKC activity was increased by 44.4 and 18.4% in the particulate and soluble fractions, respectively, from D rats compared with that from DR rats using r-32P phosphorylation of appropriate peptide substrates. When measured by Western blot gel densitometry, particulate PKC-alpha and PKC-delta content increased by 89 and 24%, respectively, but soluble PKC-beta and soluble and particulate PKC-epsilon were unchanged compared with that of DR rats. Similarly, gracilis muscle PKC activity and PKC-alpha and PKC-delta were elevated in the gracilis muscle, whereas that of the circulating neutrophil did not differ between the D and DR rats. Thus, in vivo, the early diabetic cardiomyopathy of the D rat is characterized by a restrictive LV with increased septal thickness and is associated with elevated PKC activity and increased amounts of myocardial particulate PKC-alpha and PKC-delta, which are also seen in the skeletal muscle. We conclude that increased PKC isozymes may play a pivotal role during IDM in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy and skeletal muscle myopathy.
Arginine methylation of NIP45 modulates cytokine gene expression in effector T lymphocytes.

Posttranslational modification of proteins within T cell receptor signaling cascades allows T lymphocytes to rapidly initiate an appropriate immune response. Here we report a role for arginine methylation in regulating cytokine gene transcription in the T helper lymphocyte. Inhibition of arginine methylation impaired the expression of several cytokine genes, including the signature type 1 and type 2 helper cytokines, interferon γ, and interleukin-4. T cell receptor signaling increased expression of the protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT1, which in turn methylated the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) cofactor protein, NIP45. Arginine methylation of the amino terminus of NIP45 modulated its interaction with NFAT and resulted in augmented cytokine production, while T cells from mice lacking NIP45 had impaired expression of IFNγ and IL-4. Covalent modification of NIP45 by arginine methylation is an important mechanism of regulating the expression of NFAT-dependent cytokine genes.
Effects of the Ten Percent Cap in Medicare Home Health Care on Treatment Intensity and Patient Discharge Status

Objective To estimate the effect of the 10 percent cap introduced to Medicare home health care on treatment intensity and patient discharge status. Data Sources Medicare Denominator, Medicare Home Health Claims, and Medicare Provider of Services Files from 2008 through 2010. Study Design We used agency-level variation in the proportion of outlier payments prior to the implementation of the 10 percent cap to identify how home health agencies adjusted the number of home health visits and patient discharge status under the new law. Principal Findings Under the 10 percent cap, agencies dramatically decreased the number of service visits. Agencies also dropped relatively healthy patients and sent sicker patients to nursing homes. Conclusions The drastic reduction in the number of service visits and discontinuation of relatively healthy patients from home health care suggest that the 10 percent cap improved the efficiency of home health services as intended. However, the 10 percent cap increased other types of health care expenditures by pushing sicker patients to use more expensive health services.