cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catecholaminergic systems in the zebrafish. II. Projection pathways and pattern of termination of the locus coeruleus.

The locus coeruleus is a widely projecting isthmal noradrenergic nucleus. In the zebrafish, it consists of between three and ten neurons, most of which have multiple, bilaterally projecting axons. Immunohodolgical studies show that the locus coeruleus provides most, if not all, of the noradrenergic innervation of the brain rostral to the isthmus. The pathways and targets in the zebrafish are similar to ascending coeruleal projections of other vertebrates. Axons ascend through two amin pathways: the longitudinal catecholamine bundle and the periventricular catecholamine pathway. The former is a dense meshwork of varicosity-bearing axons which ascends along the lateral longitudinal fasciculus into the mesencephalon. In the posterior tuberal area, this bundle dives ventrally and assumes a lateral position. In the diencephalon, it takes up a position ventral to the medial forebrain bundle, and follows this bundle into the telencephalon, where it joins the medial olfactory tract to enter the olfactory bulb. The periventricular catecholamine pathway is a diffuse pathway consisting of thick, smooth axons. It is associated with the medial longitudianl fasciculus. Rostral to the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus, this pathway joins the longitudinal catecholamine bundle around the medial forebrain bundle. The Periventricular pathway gives rise to coarse terminal arbors with large but sparse varicosities, whereas the longitudinal catecholamine bundle gives rise to terminal plexuses with fine and dense fibers and varicosities. Among the more densely innervated regions are the raphe nucleus, the interpeduncular nucleus, the torus semicircularis, parts of the hypothalamus, and the suprachiasmatic and preoptic areas. The tours longitudinalis, optic tectum, cerebellum, habenular complex, the dorsomedial zone of area dorsalis telencephali, and the olfactory bulb are moderately innervated. The nucleus glomerulosus, the torus lateralis and lateral subnuclei of the nucleus diffusus, and the anterior tuberal nucleus are devoid of noradrenergic innervation. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Theory of an atomic beam splitter based on velocity-tuned resonances.

We develop the theory of an atomic beam splitter in which a monoenergetic beam of two-level atoms is incident normally to a classical standing-wave light field. The incident atomic wave function can be split into two coherent components with transverse momenta \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}(2n+1)\ensuremath{\Elzxh}k using velocity-tuned resonances, where n is the order of the resonance. We discuss the cases of zero- and first-order resonances in detail, and show that the velocity-tuned resonances are renormalized due to a high-frequency Stark shift. Numerical results that display the effects of a finite momentum spread in the incident atomic beam are presented.
Characterization of a nonenzymatic component in the isomerization of 5-pregnene-3,20-dione catalyzed by human placental microsomes in vitro☆

When human placental microsomes were heated in boiling water or exposed to trypsin, 30 to 40% of the 5-ene,3-ketosteroid isomerase activity was stable. Aqueous suspensions of chloroform:methanol extracts of microsomes also catalyzed isomerization of 5-pregnene-3,20-dione, activity being associated with the polar lipid fraction. The trypsin- and heat-stable activities, as well as that of resuspended microsomal lipids, showed a dependence on buffer composition and concentration. Little activity was detected in water at pH 7.0. Relative activities in various buffers were Hepes (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid) greater than Pipes (1,4-piperazinediethanesulfonic acid) greater than potassium phosphate greater than Mes(4-morpholineethanesulfonic acid). The data suggest that the occurrence of membrane lipid-dependent nonenzymatic catalysis could contribute to the isotope exchange with solvent observed in previous studies of the mechanism of isomerization catalyzed by placental microsomes. The ability of the membrane lipid phase to catalyze steroid isomerization under certain conditions and the fact that this activity is subject to modifications by exogenous agents may have more general implications for an understanding of possible effects of xenobiotics on steroid hormone formation and action in vivo.
Federal tax incentives and financing for the reusable launch vehicle

Abstract Financing a very large new space transportation system is a major venture. It requires an initial investment of many billions of dollars and will be expected to perform successfully during its lifetime of at least twenty-five years. In the past, space systems of this magnitude have been funded, owned and operated by the government. Today, as the responsibility for opening and maintaining space systems is expected to shift from government to industry leadership, the reusable launch vehicle (RLV) presents the private sector with the challenge of finding ways of financing and building a system that will prove to be a successful private venture. The government, recognizing that it is a major customer of the RLV and that new technology must be developed for the RLV to work and to adequately reduce the cost of access to space, will fund some Initial technology development as well as provide some incentives for a private operator. This paper shows that using the current tax system's corporate investment benefits, coupled with a favorable debt financing arrangement, a profitable privately owned RLV system Is within the realm of possibility.
Inherited disorders of amine biosynthesis

Amine biosynthetic defects that result in dopamine deficiency encompass an increasingly broad spectrum of neurological phenotypes. This review highlights observations from the literature in addition to the author’s personal perspectives from ongoing studies of individuals and families with a select subset of these disorders: aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency and dopa-responsive dystonia due to guanine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 and tyrosine hydroxylase deficiencies. These disorders, while demonstrating a shared dopamine deficiency state, highlight the complexities of the dopaminergic pathways in relation to variables including gender, circadian variation in neurotransmitter levels, receptor expression and neurological development. An improved understanding of the mechanisms involved in phenotypic expression and responses to treatment in inborn errors of amine biosynthesis will undoubtedly lead to advances in our understanding and treatment of more complex and common neurological disorders,...
“Knowledge Value Alliances”: An Alternative to the R&D Project Focus in Evaluation

The question of what the relevant entities or units of analysis for studying the dynamics of R&D are is central not only for adequate characterizations of the system of scientific and technological knowledge production but also for determining the correct focus for evaluation of R&D activities. Typically, R&D performance evaluations have focused not only on the wrong thing but have looked in the wrong place. Most evaluations have been project or program based. Often this focus is misleading. This article presents a “knowledge value” framework as an alternative focus for understanding and evaluating scientific and technical work. This framework consists of two core concepts: the Knowledge Value Collective (KVC) and the Knowledge Value Alliance (KVA). On the basis of the analysis of twenty-eight case studies of research activities, the authors present a typology of KVAs and conclude that they are a better object of evaluation than discipline-based projects.
Hypovitaminosis D in acutely injured pediatric burn patients.

Abstract Problem The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency, its etiology, and associated sequelae among acutely injured burn patients is unknown. Objective This study assessed vitamin D and endocrine status, as well as the effect of anabolic agents, in pediatric patients who had sustained burns in excess of 25% total body surface area (TBSA). Subjects Sixty-nine patients with a mean TBSA burn of 50.6±2.2% (range 27% to 94%) and full thickness injury of 41.3±3.0% (range 0% to 94%) were studied. Subjects ranged in age from 0.6 to 18 years (mean, 5.8±0.6 years). Main outcome measures Blood samples were obtained for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (D25), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (D1,25), albumin, cortisol, triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T 4 ), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and parathormone (PTH). Results Two hundred eighty morning blood samples of D25 and D1,25 demonstrated that 45% and 26.2% were low and 8.9% and 11% were very low, respectively. At least one low D25 or D1,25 level occurred in 62.3% of all subjects. Very low levels were noted in 23.2% of all patients. There was an increased incidence of hyperparathyroidism in patients with very low serum D25. Vitamin D25 and D1,25 levels were lower in subjects with larger burns or inhalation injury, as well as those treated with thyroxine or oxandrolone. Serum albumin, cortisol, T 4 , and TSH were not correlated with concentration of vitamin D. Conclusions Demonstration of a high incidence of low serum vitamin D indicates vitamin D status may be significantly compromised in burned children. It is unclear why vitamin D deficiency exists in this population. The most effective way to improve vitamin D status remains elusive at this time.
The importation of hematogenous precursors by the thymus is a gated phenomenon in normal adult mice.

Hematogenous precursors repopulate the thymus of normal adult mice, but it is not known whether this process is continuous or intermittent. Here, two approaches were used to demonstrate that the importation of prothymocytes in adult life is a gated phenomenon. In the first, age-dependent receptivity to thymic chimerism was studied in nonirradiated Ly 5 congenic mice by quantitative intrathymic and intravenous bone marrow (BM) adoptive transfer assays. In the second, the kinetics of importation of blood-borne prothymocytes was determined by timed separation of parabiotic mice. The results showed that >60% of 3–18-wk-old mice developed thymic chimerism after intrathymic injection of BM cells, and that the levels of chimerism (range, 5–90% donor-origin cells) varied cyclically (periodicity, 3 to 5 wk). In contrast, only 11–14% of intravenously injected recipients became chimeric, and chimerism occurred intermittently (receptive period ∼1 wk; refractory period ∼3 wk). In the intravenously injected mice, chimerism occurred simultaneously in both thymic lobes; gate opening occurred only after most intrathymic niches for prothymocytes had emptied; and the ensuing wave of thymocytopoiesis encompassed two periods of gating. These kinetics were confirmed in parabiotic mice, and in cohorts of mice in whom gating was synchronized by an initial intrathymic injection of BM cells. In addition, a protocol was developed by which sequential intravenous injections of BM cells over a 3 to 4 wk period routinely induces thymic chimerism in the apparent absence of stem cell chimerism. Hence, the results not only provide a new paradigm for the regulation of prothymocyte importation during adult life, but may also have applied implications for the selective induction of thymocytopoiesis in nonmyeloablated hosts.
Resonant scattering of energetic electrons by unusual low-frequency hiss

We quantify the resonant scattering effects of the unusual low-frequency dawnside plasmaspheric hiss observed on 30 September 2012 by the Van Allen Probes. In contrast to normal (~100–2000 Hz) hiss emissions, this unusual hiss event contained most of its wave power at ~20–200 Hz. Compared to the scattering by normal hiss, the unusual hiss scattering speeds up the loss of ~50–200 keV electrons and produces more pronounced pancake distributions of ~50–100 keV electrons. It is demonstrated that such unusual low-frequency hiss, even with a duration of a couple of hours, plays a particularly important role in the decay and loss process of energetic electrons, resulting in shorter electron lifetimes for ~50–400 keV electrons than normal hiss, and should be carefully incorporated into global modeling of radiation belt electron dynamics during periods of intense injections.
Neural Correlates of Behavioral Preference for Culturally Familiar Drinks

Coca-Cola (Coke) and Pepsi are nearly identical in chemical composition, yet humans routinely display strong subjective preferences for one or the other. This simple observation raises the important question of how cultural messages combine with content to shape our perceptions; even to the point of modifying behavioral preferences for a primary reward like a sugared drink. We delivered Coke and Pepsi to human subjects in behavioral taste tests and also in passive experiments carried out during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Two conditions were examined: (1) anonymous delivery of Coke and Pepsi and (2) brand-cued delivery of Coke and Pepsi. For the anonymous task, we report a consistent neural response in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex that correlated with subjects' behavioral preferences for these beverages. In the brand-cued experiment, brand knowledge for one of the drinks had a dramatic influence on expressed behavioral preferences and on the measured brain responses.
Genetics and patient outcome after cardiac surgery: unravelling translational findings.

In the current issue of the British Journal of Anaesthesia, Frey and colleagues1 present a study entitled ‘Genetic interactions in the β-adrenoceptor/G protein signal transduction pathway and survival after coronary artery bypass grafting: a pilot study’. This report is an extension of a previously published study2 designed to translate genetics from the laboratory bench into better understanding of human clinical cardiovascular outcomes after cardiac surgery. The goal of this editorial is to walk the clinical anaesthetist through this manuscript in ways that illuminate understanding overall, and also highlight strengths and weakness of the study. To do so, I start with a brief review of recent human genetic breakthroughs since they provide context for the study.
Mediator effects in the social development model: an examination of constituent theories.

Background The social development model (SDM) provides an explanatory framework for the progression of antisocial behaviour in children and adolescents. Although previous research has assessed the predictive validity of the model, alternative associations based on the SDM's constituent theories have not been examined. Method Using structural equation modelling, a series of direct paths was examined for mediation by SDM constructs. Data for the study consisted of teacher-, parent- and self-report of 1016 fourth- and fifth-grade students from the Raising Healthy Children project, a longitudinal etiological study with an embedded preventive intervention. Results Four of the seven paths examined were partially or totally mediated by SDM constructs. Specifically, the relationship between prosocial bonding and adolescent antisocial behaviour, as hypothesized by social control theory, was fully mediated by prosocial beliefs. As hypothesized by social learning theory, students' socioemotional and cognitive skills significantly predicted antisocial behaviour, independent of partial mediation through rewards, bonding and beliefs. As hypothesized by differential association theory, involvement with both prosocial and antisocial persons was directly associated with respective prosocial and antisocial beliefs, independent of partial mediation through rewards and bonding. Conclusions These findings suggest additional associations that are not currently specified in the SDM and underscore the importance of re-examining hypotheses from constituent theories when integrating developmental models of antisocial behaviour. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
United States Department of Agriculture's weather and climate information system for operational applications in agriculture

There are many challenges facing today's farmers and the use of weather and climate can help farmers in meeting and overcoming these challenges. Additionally, government decision-makers use information on actual and potential crop production impacts, a large percentage of which is based on weather and climate information such as drought, heavy rain events, and hurricanes. The Joint Agricultural Weather Facility (JAWF) is an example of one U.S. Government organization successfully using weather and climate information in many of its operational applications that are disseminated to users. These agricultural weather applications or products are grouped into tactical (short-term) and strategic (long-term) products. Examples of tactical products discussed include the Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (WWCB); routine and special crop-weather assessments, and a Regional Weather Network in Mississippi. Strategic products discussed include the U.S. Drought Monitor and the use of weather information in the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) process. The purpose of this paper is to provide some successful applications of climate and weather information and how this information is communicated between this agrometeorological service and farmers. Also, the goal is to provide lessons learned for other agrometeorological services around the world. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Environmental Justice in Indian Country: Dumpsite Remediation on the Swinomish Indian Reservation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as the "fair treatment for people of all races, cultures, and incomes, regarding the development of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." The last decade has focused considerable national attention on the environmental pollution inequity that persists among the nation's poorest communities. Despite these environmental justice efforts, poor communities continue to face adverse environmental conditions. For the more than 550 Native American communities, the struggle to attain environmental justice is more than a matter of enforcing national laws equitably; it is also a matter of a federal trust duty for the protection of Indian lands and natural resources, honoring a promise that Native American homelands would forever be sustainable. Equally important is the federal promise to assist tribes in managing their reservation environments under their reserved powers of self-government, an attribute that most distinguishes tribes from other communities. The PM Northwest, Inc. (PMNW) dumpsite is located within the boundaries of the Swinomish Indian Reservation in Washington State. Between approximately 1958 and 1970, PMNW contracted with local oil refineries to dispose of hazardous wastes from their operations at the reservation dumpsite. Almost two decades would pass before the Swinomish tribe was able to persuade EPA that a cleanup action under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) was warranted. This article reviews the enduring struggle to achieve Indian environmental justice in the Swinomish homeland, a process that was dependent upon the development of the tribe's political and environmental management capacity as well as EPA's eventual acknowledgement that Indian environmental justice is integrally linked to its federal trust responsibility.
The Effect of Fowl Typhoid on the Response of Young Chickens to Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Abstract Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) disappears very rapidly from the plasma of mammals. The half-time for its disappearance from the plasma of rats was computed by Greenspan et al. (1950) to be 5½ minutes. A similar situation must exist in the chicken since frequent injections with ACTH are necessary to obtain a maximum response (Garren and Hill, 1958; and Garren et al., 1960). The present study sought to determine if chickens with fowl typhoid responded to ACTH in the same manner as chickens without the disease. Body weight gains and the changes occurring in the weight and histology of the adrenal and bursa were used as the criteria of response. Rhode Island Reds, 5 weeks of age, were divided into 4 comparable groups with 10 chickens per group. Average initial weights for these groups ranged from 554–556 grams. These chickens had been raised in heated batteries and were given free access …
Protein Arginine Methylation in Parasitic Protozoa

Protozoa constitute the earliest branch of the eukaryotic lineage, and several groups of protozoans are serious parasites of humans and other animals. Better understanding of biochemical pathways that are either in common with or divergent from those of higher eukaryotes is integral in the defense against these parasites. In yeast and humans, the posttranslational methylation of arginine residues in proteins affects myriad cellular processes, including transcription, RNA processing, DNA replication and repair, and signal transduction. The protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) that catalyze these reactions, which are unique to the eukaryotic kingdom of organisms, first become evident in protozoa. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of arginine methylation in multiple species of parasitic protozoa, including Trichomonas, Entamoeba, Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, and Trypanosoma spp., and discuss how arginine methylation may play important and unique roles in each type of parasite. We mine available genomic and transcriptomic data to inventory the families of PRMTs in different parasites and the changes in their abundance during the life cycle. We further review the limited functional studies on the roles of arginine methylation in parasites, including epigenetic regulation in Apicomplexa and RNA processing in trypanosomes. Interestingly, each of the parasites considered herein has significantly differing sets of PRMTs, and we speculate on the importance of this diversity in aspects of parasite biology, such as differentiation and antigenic variation.
Crystal growth, structural characterization, cation–cation interaction classification, and optical properties of uranium(VI) containing oxychlorides, A4U5O16Cl2 (A = K, Rb), Cs5U7O22Cl3, and AUO3Cl (A = Rb, Cs)

Single crystals of five new alkali metal uranium oxychlorides, K4U5O16Cl2, Rb4U5O16Cl2, Cs5U7O22Cl3, RbUO3Cl, and CsUO3Cl, have been grown from molten chloride fluxes and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All of the materials are monoclinic. The first three crystallize in the space group P21/n and exhibit a 2D layered structure with a novel layer topology, consisting of UO6, UO7, and UO4Cl2 polyhedra and cation–cation interactions (CCIs) within the plane of the uranyl sheet. A general cation–cation classification scheme is presented. RbUO3Cl and CsUO3Cl crystallize in the space group P21/m and exhibit 1D zipper-like chains of UO5Cl2 polyhedra. The lattice parameters of the new oxychlorides are: K4U5O16Cl2, a = 9.9574(4) A, b = 6.9766(3) A, c = 14.3920(6) A, and β = 105.7690(10)°; Rb4U5O16Cl2, a = 10.2164(4) A, b = 7.0160(3) A, c = 14.4930(5) A, and β = 103.8290(10)°; Cs5U7O22Cl3, a = 10.6214(5) A, b = 18.1071(8) A, c = 16.0857(7) A, and β = 102.9850(10)°; RbUO3Cl, a = 7.3602(6) A, b = 4.1127(3) A, c = 8.5556(7) A, and β = 104.602(2)°; CsUO3Cl, a = 7.7768(4) A, b = 4.1245(2) A, c = 8.7701(5) A, and β = 105.4680(10)°. The materials were further characterized by UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy.
Odd for an Ericad: Nocturnal Pollination of Lyonia lucida (Ericaceae)

Abstract Studies of pollination biology are largely diurnally biased, especially in plant species whose flowers conform to diurnal pollination syndromes. Though these syndromes can be useful in generating hypotheses regarding a species’ primary pollinators, they may also lead to incorrect assumptions. This study explores the relative contributions of diurnal and nocturnal pollination to fruit set in Lyonia lucida, an ericaceous shrub of the southeastern United States whose floral form suggests pollination by bumble bees. Floral visitation to L. lucida and pollen loads of visitors were quantified in a population of the species in Central Florida (U.S.A.), and the relative contributions of diurnal and nocturnal pollination tested. Mating system characteristics of L. lucida were also examined. Results show L. lucida flowers are visited mainly by nocturnal moths, who are capable of carrying large pollen loads, and nocturnal pollination is the primary driver of fruit set. In addition L. lucida at the study sit...
Relationship of Obligate Grassland Birds to Landscape Structure in Wisconsin

Conservation plans for grassland birds have included recommendations at the landscape level, but species' responses to landscape structure are variable. We studied the relationships between grassland bird abundances and landscape structure in 800-ha landscapes in Wisconsin, USA, using roadside surveys. Of 9 species considered, abundances of only 4 species differed among landscapes with varying amounts of grassland and forest. Landscape variables explained <20% of variation in abundances for 4 of the 5 rarest species in our study. Our results suggest landscape-based management plans for grassland birds might not benefit the rarest species and, thus, plans should incorporate species-specific habitat preferences for these species.
The Minor Third Communicates Sadness in Speech, Mirroring Its Use in Music

There is a long history of attempts to explain why music is perceived as expressing emotion. The relationship between pitches serves as an important cue for conveying emotion in music. The musical interval referred to as the minor third is generally thought to convey sadness. We reveal that the minor third also occurs in the pitch contour of speech conveying sadness. Bisyllabic speech samples conveying four emotions were recorded by 9 actresses. Acoustic analyses revealed that the relationship between the 2 salient pitches of the sad speech samples tended to approximate a minor third. Participants rated the speech samples for perceived emotion, and the use of numerous acoustic parameters as cues for emotional identification was modeled using regression analysis. The minor third was the most reliable cue for identifying sadness. Additional participants rated musical intervals for emotion, and their ratings verified the historical association between the musical minor third and sadness. These findings support the theory that human vocal expressions and music share an acoustic code for communicating sadness.
A common polymorphism decreases low-density lipoprotein receptor exon 12 splicing efficiency and associates with increased cholesterol

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that alter exon splicing efficiency are an emerging class of functional genetic variants. Since mutations in low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) are a primary cause of familial hypercholesterolemia, we evaluated whether LDLR SNPs may alter splicing efficiency and cholesterol homeostasis. A SNP within LDLR exon 12, rs688, was identified in silico as neutralizing a putative exon splicing enhancer. Studies in human liver samples established that this SNP was associated with significantly decreased LDLR exon 12 splicing efficiency in women in vivo. In vitro minigene splicing studies qualitatively replicated these in vivo results and demonstrated that rs688 specifically modulates splicing efficiency. These effects on splicing may be physiologically relevant because the presence of the rs688 minor allele associates with increased total and LDL-cholesterol in female members of the Framingham Offspring Study. The largest rs688-associated cholesterol differences were observed in pre-menopausal women. In summary, these studies identify an LDLR SNP present in approximately 60% of Caucasians that is associated with significant 10% increases in total and LDL-cholesterol in pre-menopausal women.
Laparoscopic bilateral partial adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma

Abstract Introduction To describe the technique of transperitoneal laparoscopic bilateral synchronous partial adrenalectomy in a patient with bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma. Technical considerations An 81-year-old woman with bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma underwent bilateral laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy. A three-port transperitoneal approach was used for each side, with an additional port for liver retraction during right partial adrenalectomy. Laparoscopic flexible ultrasonography was invaluable for localizing the adrenal tumor and for precise planning of the line of excision. The right main adrenal vein was preserved. Dissection and enucleation of the adrenal tumor and parenchymal hemostasis was achieved effectively using a harmonic scalpel. The total operative time was 2 and 2.5 hours for the left and right adrenal gland, respectively. No major intraoperative hemodynamic instability was noted. The total blood loss was 150 mL, and the hospital stay was 4 days. Pathologic examination confirmed bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma. Conclusions Laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma is safe and technically feasible. Intraoperative ultrasonography is helpful to accurately plan resection of the tumor. If tumor location permits, the main adrenal vein should be preserved to ensure adequate vascularity for the adrenal remnant.
Meeting the Challenges of Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, characterized by episodes of bronchial hyperreactivity and airflow obstruction during periods of poor control or exacerbation. Advances in science over the last 3 decades have increased our understanding of asthma’s mechanisms, medication regimens, and treatment strategies, but despite this increase in knowledge and advances in treatment options, the prevalence of asthma continues to increase and is associated with substantial daily functional morbidity. The ultimate goal of effective asthma care is patient self-management that reduces the impact of the disease on functional daily morbidity and improves the patient’s activities of daily living and quality of life. Evidence-based medicine, or at the very least, good clinical science, is important in establishing quality asthma care. Asthma crosses all genders, ages, and races across the entire spectrum of care. This 41st RESPIRATORY CARE Journal Conference was designed to address these issues with a focus on the role of respiratory therapists in diagnosis and management. Coincidentally, the conference was held within a few days of the release of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program’s Expert Panel Report 3, Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma, 1 which we incorporated into the context of a broad state-of-the-art review. As in previous Journal Conferences, invited speakers presented on specific topics, and discussion followed each presentation. This and the next issue of RESPIRATORY CARE contain the papers developed from these presentations, along with transcripts of the discussions. The conference summary in the June 2008 issue will provide a concise overview of the key points presented. We hope these papers will stimulate discussion, comment, and ultimately transformation of daily practice, as well as inspire the interest of the respiratory therapy community to pursue better clinical practice strategies and patient outcomes for asthma patients across the entire continuum of care. It was a pleasure to chair this 41st RESPIRATORY CARE Journal Conference, which is the first specifically dedicated to the diagnosis, management, and treatment of asthma. No other professionals are better prepared or present in all areas of care in which asthma appears than are respiratory therapists. We thank the conference faculty, whose outstanding presentations and lively discussions were conducted in a collegial and energetic spirit across the conference’s two and a half days. We also acknowledge the generosity and support of the conference sponsors, through their unrestricted educational grants, which permitted us to bring together this exceptional faculty. Finally, we thank the American Respiratory Care Foundation for their organization and ongoing support of these educational conferences.
Giant hemangioma with thrombocytopenia. Radioisotopic demonstration of platelet sequestration.

A case of giant hemangioma with thrombocytopenia has been presented. Isotopic studies with Cr-51 tagged platelets indicated that the basic mechanism of thrombocytopenia in this patient involved platelet sequestration in the tumor. The platelet response in the peripheral blood following irradiation of the hemangioma gives additional evidence that the thrombocytopenia is related to pathological changes within the hemangioma.
Using dynamic demand information and zoning for the storage of non-uniform density stock keeping units

The warehouse order-picking operation is one of the most labour-intense activities that has an important impact on responsiveness and efficiency of the supply chain. An understanding of the impact of the simultaneous effects of customer demand patterns and order clustering, considering physical restrictions in product storage, is critical for improving operational performance. Storage restrictions may include storing non-uniform density stock keeping units (SKUs) whose dimensions and weight constrain the order-picking operation given that a priority must be followed. In this paper, a heuristic optimisation based on a quadratic integer programming is employed to generate a layout solution that considers customer demand patterns and order clustering. A simulation model is used to investigate the effects of creating and implementing these layout solutions in conjunction with density zones to account for restrictions in non-uniform density SKUs. Results from combining layout optimisation heuristics and densit...
Patient-Reported Attributions for Missed Colonoscopy Appointments in Two Large Healthcare Systems

Missed colonoscopy appointments (no-shows) can lead to wasted resources and delays in colorectal cancer diagnosis, an area of special concern in public health systems that often provide care for vulnerable patients. Our objective was to identify reasons for missed colonoscopy appointments in patients seeking care at two large public health systems in Houston, TX. We conducted a telephone survey of patients who missed their colonoscopy appointments at two tertiary care health systems. Using a structured survey instrument, we collected information on patient-specific and health services barriers. Patient-specific barriers included perceived procedural-related factors (e.g., difficulty in preparation), cognitive-emotional factors (e.g., fear or concern about modesty), and changes in health status (e.g., improvement or worsening of health). Health services barriers included logistical factors (e.g., travel-related difficulties) and appointment scheduling problems (inconvenient date or time). We examined differences in attributions for missed appointments between the two study sites. Of 160 unique patients (102 Site A and 58 Site B) who missed their appointment during the study period, 153 (95.6 %) attributed their no-show to at least one of the listed barriers. Most respondents (125; 78.1 %) cited travel-related issues or scheduling problems as reasons for their missed appointment. Not having a ride or a travel companion was the most commonly reported travel-related issue. We also found significant differences for barriers between the two sites. Most missed colonoscopy appointments resulted from potentially preventable travel- and scheduling-related issues. Because barriers to keeping colonoscopy appointments are different across health systems, each health system might need to develop unique interventions to reduce missed colonoscopy appointments.
Parent and Friend Emotion Socialization in Adolescence: Associations with Psychological Adjustment

Emotion socialization influences how adolescents learn how to express and regulate their affect, and has ramifications for adolescent psychological adjustment. The majority of emotion socialization research pertains to the influence of parents in childhood; however, close friends gain influence in adolescence. The present narrative review compares parent and friend emotion socialization during adolescence, a developmental period with marked social and emotional challenges in relation to emotion regulation and psychological adjustment. This review suggests that parents and friends are largely similar in their influence on adolescent adjustment, though some socialization strategies and outcomes have yet to be fully examined in friend emotion socialization. Fruitful directions for future research are discussed.
Systemic Insecticides for Control of European Corn Borer and Green Peach Aphid on Peppers

Three granular systemic insecticides were tested against the European corn borer, ostinai nubialalis (Hubner), and the green peach aphid, Mazes Persia (Seltzer) on sweet peppers. The materials and treatments were: Dasanit®( O, O -diethyl O-[p- (methylsulfinyl) phenyl] phosphorothioate) and carbofuran as 10% granules applied as a side dressing in 10-10-10 fertilizer at 3 lb AI/acre in 1-and in 2-application treatments, and American Cyanamid CL-47470 (cyclic propylene (diethoxyphosphinyl) dithioimidocarbonate) as 15% granules applied in a similar manner at 2 lb AI/acre in a single-application treatment and at 2 and 1 lb AI/acre in a double-application treatment. Carbofuran and CL-47470 significantly reduced green peach aphid numbers and European corn borer infestations in pepper fruits in all harvests but did not give commercially acceptable control of the European corn borer in all treatments.
Bubble-Propelled Microjets: Model and Experiment

Using basic principles of diffusion and reaction, a one-dimensional mass transport model inside a catalytic microjet has been proposed. The effect of microjet geometry on mass transport has been investigated, and its effect on bubble growth and microjet motion has been predicted. Oxygen generation and its flux to one end of the microjet induce nucleation and growth of bubbles. The bubble growth and ejection/burst cause the microjet to move forward. Numerical investigations of the motion-related parameters, such as O2 flux, bubble generation rate and frequency, and average speed of the microjet motors during bubble growth, are found to depend closely on the length and opening radius of the microjet and concentration of H2O2 in the surrounding environment. The predicted results are compared to experimental data obtained from graphene oxide-based microjets, and they show good qualitative agreement. These results demonstrate that this simple model could be used to optimize catalytic microjet design.
Nonclassical Oxygen Atom Transfer as a Synthetic Strategy: Preparation of an Oxorhenium(V) Complex of the Bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxo)amide Ligand

Oxo(triphenylphosphine)[bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxo)amido]rhenium(V) [(ONOCat)ReO(PPh3)] is prepared by the reaction of iododioxobis(triphenylphosphine)rhenium(V) [ReO2(PPh3)2I] with lead bis(3...
ENaC activity is increased in isolated, split-open cortical collecting ducts from protein kinase Cα knockout mice

The epithelial Na channel (ENaC) is negatively regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) as shown using PKC activators in a cell culture model. To determine whether PKCα influences ENaC activity in vivo,...
Artificial Egging Receptacles for Three Species of Tephritid Flies

To obtain eggs in large numbers by economical methods is a prerequisite for efficient large-scale production of such tropical fruit flies as the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel; the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann); and the melon fly, Dacus cucurbitae Coquillett.
Surveillance of Epidemic Hemorrhagic Fever from 2009 to 2011 in Futian District

Objective To study the epidemic trend and characteristics of epidemic hemorrhagic fever from 2009 to 2011 in Futian district,and provide scientific basis for further prevention and control measures. Method Descriptive epidemiological analysis was used to analyze the data about epidemics trend of epidemic hemorrhagic fever from 2009 to 2011 in Futian district. Results There were 17 cumulative cases of epidemic hemorrhagic fever in the past three years without any death. The incidence rate of yearly average were respectively 0.34/100 000, 0.50/100 000, and 0.53/100 000 from 2009 to 2011. The incidence rates of Shatou Street was the highest, accounting for 47.06% of the total cases (8/17). The cases were reported throughout the year in each month, but the incidences were mainly occurred in winter and spring,accounting for 64.71% of the total incidence. The incidence rate of male was higher than that of female, with a ratio of 3.25:1, but there was no significant difference(P0.05). Cases were reported in all age groups over the age of 25,mainly in young adults.There were no significant occupational distribution characteristics. Conclusions Epidemic hemorrhagic fever was in the dissemination level in Futian district. There was a trend of increase in the incidences in the past three years. The eradication and control of rodent work should be further implemented.
Altered Anionic Nature of Cytochrome F After Carboxypeptidase Treatment

Willey et al. (1) have monitored carboxypeptidase digestion of cytochrome f (Cyt f) in intact thylakoid membranes. They have presented a model of the orientation of Cyt f in the thylakoid membrane where residues 251–270 form a transmembrane alpha-helix, residues 271–285 are in the stroma and the remainder of the molecule resides in the intra-thylakoid space. It has been postulated that the solubility of purified Cyt f, from members of the Cruciferae, is due to the loss of the transmembrane alpha-helix during purification. Turnip Cyt f is soluble and, upon electrophoresis in the presence of SDS (SDS-PAGE), is resolved into diffuse double bands with Mr of 28 and 32 Kd. The predicted Mr of sequenced cytochromes f is 31 Kd and a loss of 4 Kd from trie C-terminus would include all of the presumed membrane spanning alpha-helix. The remaining Cyt f would be more negative by 2 units.
Radio and the Gendered Soundscape: Women and Broadcasting in Argentina and Uruguay, 1930–1950

This book is a history of women, radio, and the gendered constructions of voice and sound in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay. Through the stories of five women and one radio station, this study makes a substantial theoretical contribution to the study of gender, mass media, and political culture and expands our knowledge of these issues beyond the US and Western Europe. Included here is a study of the first all-women's radio station in the Western Hemisphere, an Argentine comedian known as 'Chaplin in Skirts', an author of titillating dramatic serials and, of course, Argentine First Lady 'Evita' Peron. Through the concept of the gendered soundscape, this study integrates sound studies and gender history in new ways, asking readers to consider both the female voice in history and the sonic dimensions of gender.
Bacterial Cu+-ATPases: models for molecular structure–function studies

The early discovery of the human Cu+-ATPases and their link to Menkes and Wilson's diseases brought attention to the unique role of these transporters in copper homeostasis. The characterization of bacterial Cu+-ATPases has significantly furthered our understanding of the structure, selectivity and transport mechanism of these enzymes, as well as their interplay with other elements of Cu+ distribution networks. This review focuses on the structural–functional insights that have emerged from studies of bacterial Cu+-ATPases at the molecular level and how these observations have contributed to drawing up a comprehensive picture of cellular copper homeostasis.
INFORMATION THEORY AS AN ETHOLOGICAL TOOL

Abstract: The use of information theory enables the student of animal communication to investigate such important questions as: What are the probablistic constraints placed on the behavior of a recipient animal by the acts of a signaler? How important are an animal's own preceding acts in determining his subsequent behavior? How much information is carried by specific acts? How do signals differ in effect as the result of such factors as size of signaler and context of the signal and how do these factors interact?
Some Reservations About Flourishing

I am grateful to all my friends and colleagues associated with critical realism who have been trying to introduce a value-orientation in the social sciences by way of building on Aristotle’s notion of eudaimonia, often translated as flourishing. Although ultimately I come out in support of this move, I do not consider it the only way to incorporate values within the social sciences and, as my title suggests, I hold some serious reservations about it. This chapter explores those reservations.
Electoral authoritarianism and weak states in Africa: The role of parties versus presidents in Tanzania and Cameroon:

State capacity is arguably an essential factor that stabilizes electoral authoritarian rule. Yet, in the context of sub-Saharan Africa many measures of state capacity are generally weak. What there...
Abstract 134: Rigid Microenvironments Promote Cardiac Differentiation Of Mouse And Human Embryonic Stem Cells

While adult heart muscle is the least regenerative of tissues, embryonic cardiomyocytes are proliferative, with embryonic stem (ES) cells providing an endless reservoir. In addition to secreted factors and cell-cell interactions, the extracellular microenvironment has been shown to play an important role in stem cell lineage specification, and understanding how scaffold elasticity influences cardiac differentiation is crucial to cardiac tissue engineering. Though previous studies have analyzed the role of the matrix elasticity on the function of differentiated cardiomyocytes, whether it affects the induction of cardiomyocytes from pluripotent stem cells is poorly understood. Here, we examined the role of matrix rigidity on the cardiac differentiation using mouse and human ES cells. Culture on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates of varied monomer-to-crosslinker ratios revealed that rigid extracellular matrices promote a higher yield of de novo cardiomyocytes from undifferentiated ES cells. Using an genetically modified ES system that allows us to purify differentiated cardiomyocytes by drug selection, we demonstrate that rigid environments induce higher cardiac troponin T expression, beating rate of foci, and expression ratio of adult α- to fetal β- myosin heavy chain in a purified cardiac population. M-mode and mechanical interferometry image analyses demonstrate that these ES-derived cardiomyocytes display functional maturity and synchronization of beating when co-cultured with neonatal cardiomyocytes harvested from a developing embryo. Together, these data identify matrix stiffness as an independent factor that instructs not only the maturation of the already differentiated cardiomyocytes but also the induction and proliferation of cardiomyocytes from undifferentiated progenitors. Manipulation of the stiffness will help direct the production of functional cardiomyocytes en masse from stem cells for regenerative medicine purposes.
Visual object detection using deformable sparse coding model

Object detection is a challenging task in the field of pattern recognition. The objective of object detection is to locate the target objects in the testing images. In this paper, we use SVM trained active basis model as a sparse coding model for representing objects. The sparse coding model represents each image as the linear superposition of a small number of Gabor wavelets selected from an over-complete Gabor dictionary. We divide the learned template into several parts, and allow each part and each Gabor wavelet to locally shift to account for shape deformation in detection process. The model is trained from the roughly aligned images. The detection is achieved by sliding windows from a multi-scale image pyramid. The experiment shows a good performance of the detection method in some testing images.