cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Differences in the Courtship of two Populations of Three‐spined Sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus

Zusammenfassung Die mannliche Balz einer amerikanischen Population des Dreistacheligen Stichlings wurde mit der der europaischen Variation verglichen. Die amerikanischen ♂ ♂ erreichen die Schwelle fur die meisten sexuellen Verhaltensweisen viel langsamer; sie zeigen wahrend der Balz mehr Nestaktivitaten und Stachelreizungen. Da es Anzeichen gibt, das sie auch weit angriffslustiger sind, werden diese Handlungen (nach Wilz 1970 b) als bedeutsam fur die Umstellung des ♂ auf sexuelles Verhalten aufgefast.
Localization of cholinesterase activity in the outer plexiform layer of the larval tiger salamander retina.

Abstract Acetylcholinesterase activity, which may be indicative of cholinergic synapses, has been ultrastructurally localized in the outer plexiform layer of the larval tiger salamander retina using the cholinesterase staining method of Karnovsky and Roots. In the presence of the butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor, ethopropazine, precipitate is localized to discrete ‘stain laminae’ about 300 nm in their largest dimension and bounded by a 10 nm wide electron-lucent gap. Stain laminae are predominantly found adjacent to horizontal cell axon terminals which were identified by serial section analysis. Stain precipitate has not been found associated with horizontal cell dendrites and in only one case was a lamina found adjacent to a bipolar cell dendrite. Intracellular deposits of cholinesterase stain precipitate were also observed. In some cases, stain is found adjacent to synaptic ribbons in photoreceptor terminals. Likely artifacts appear to have been ruled out by control experiments in which retinas either were not treated with cholinesterase stain or were treated in the presence of the specific acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, BW284C51. Thus, the stain laminae probably result from specific, highly localized areas of acetylcholinesterase activity. The implications of the present study on current theories of cholinergic function in the vertebrate retina are discussed.
Hyperspectral target detection with sparseness constraint

A sparseness constrained approach is proposed for linear unmixing, and the results are used for hybrid detection of hyperspectral imagery. The sparseness constraint is imposed on the abundance fractions, resulting in better performance than the popular non-negative and fully constrained methods, particularly in the situations when background endmember spectra are not accurately acquired or estimated, which is very common in practical applications. To increase the dictionary incoherence required for sparse regression, the use of band selection is proposed to improve the performance of sparseness constrained linear unmixing, thereby enhancing the following detection performance.
Dose intensity of radiation therapy in non-small cell carcinoma of the lung: a review of RTOG data and strategies

Prospective trials exploring questions of dose intensity for control of the local-regional tumor have been conducted by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group for 20 years. Early studies established radiation therapy with a total dose of 60 Gy in 30 fractions as standard (STD) for unresectable non-small cell carcinomas of the lung (NSCCL). Hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HFX) with 1.2 Gy twice daily permitted higher total doses without increased normal tissue effects and led to comparison of STD vs. HFX (total dose 69.6 Gy in 58 fractions). Induction chemotherapy followed by STD, induction followed by concurrent chemotherapy and STD, and concurrent chemotherapy and HFX, have been explored in successive trials. Preliminary results of STD combined with chemotherapy suggest that increases in dose intensity increase local-regional control and survival. Confirmatory trials of increased dose intensity by combining chemotherapy with STD and HFX have been completed or are progressing.
Convective Plumes in a Convective Field.

Abstract The theory of isolated turbulent plumes given earlier is used to study a field of plumes. Each plume is immersed in the turbulent downdraft which comprises the return flow. The field of flow is specified by three parameters: the heat flux into the atmosphere at the surface, the depth of the convecting layer, and the intensity of turbulence at the surface (where turbulence is steadily generated by the wind) and where a plume element which leaves the surface returns there in a downdraft after a period of the order of 103 sec. The change in air properties during this period is of the essence of the problem. Since the process is driven by the changing density resulting from heating, the equations describing the field must be time-dependent in this essential respect. Wind is neglected, and the horizontal pressure gradient assumed to he the same at all heights. The derived plume properties-size, temperature excess, upward velocity and turbulent intensity-are in agreement with observation. The formulati...
Speed liquid chromatographic analysis of organo-iron compounds

Abstract Mixtures which include tricarbonyliron complexes of dienes and dienones plus m-xylene and 2,4-dimethylacetophenone have been separated, and the ketones have been determined quantitatively using reversed phase high speed liquid-liquid partition chromatography.
Effects of alcohol on the partial reinforcement effect

The hypothesis was tested that partial reinforcement results in increased resistance to extinction because stimuli produced by fractional anticipatory frustration responses (rF) become conditioned to adient instrumental responses during training. On the assumption that alcohol diminishes or inhibits rF the drug was administered during training trials. Extinction findings failed to support the hypothesis.
Recommendations for G/T teacher preparation and graduate programs

The article describes some of the general criteria that are being developed specifically in training teachers of the gifted.
Stratified-charge combustion: modeling and imaging of a spray-guided direct-injection spark-ignition engine

Abstract Spray-guided spark-ignited direct-injection (SG-SIDI) engines are likely to be the next generation of gasoline engines. Compared to current wall-guided (WG-SIDI) engines, they offer improved fuel economy and substantially reduced hydrocarbon and soot emissions. Two stages of stratified combustion (partially premixed flame propagation and mixing-controlled combustion of rich products left from partial combustion of initially fuel-rich mixtures) are investigated here in an experimental SG-SIDI engine using detailed CFD modeling, high-speed spectrally resolved combustion luminosity imaging, and cylinder pressure analysis. The CFD model reproduces the spatial and temporal distribution of both combustion stages. Correlation of CFD calculations and experimental combustion measurements demonstrates that optimum ignition timing occurs for somewhat rich equivalence ratios (0.9–1.6) and relatively low flow velocities (
Association between serum cortisol and testosterone levels, opioid therapy, and symptom distress in patients with advanced cancer.

Abstract Context Patients with advanced cancer often experience symptoms such as pain, anorexia, and fatigue. Opioid therapy for the management of cancer pain may result in neurohormonal dysfunction that may contribute to a patient's symptom burden. Objectives To examine the association between serum cortisol and testosterone levels, opioid therapy, and symptom distress in patients with cancer. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on 77 consecutive patients with advanced cancer referred for symptoms of fatigue or cachexia. We collected information regarding cortisol levels (am or random), testosterone levels (men only), morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD), and symptom severity measured by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Nonparametric correlation analysis was performed. Results The median age was 63 years (range 24–79), and 62% were men (n=48). Most patients had gastrointestinal (n=33, 43%) or thoracic (n=21, 27%) malignancies and were Caucasian (n=46, 60%). The median random cortisol level was 19.1μg/dL (Q1–Q3, 13.4–23.8 [normal, 4.3–22.4]), which correlated with MEDD (Spearman coefficient, 0.25, P=0.032) and symptoms including pain (0.50, P Conclusion In patients with advanced cancer, elevated random cortisol levels were associated with pain and opioid use, although abnormally low levels of cortisol were found to be infrequent. Patients on higher opioid therapy (MEDD >30) had increased cortisol levels, and male patients had lower testosterone levels. Our study suggests that opioid therapy in patients with advanced cancer may inhibit gonadal function while sparing the adrenal axis. Future studies are needed.
Temporoparietal osteofascial flap for head and neck reconstruction.

Abstract Purpose: This article describes the use of the temporoparietal osteofascial flap (TOF) for reconstruction of bony defects in the midface and mandible. Patients and Methods: We reviewed the demographics, etiology, indications, surgical technique, radiographic evaluation, and final outcome of 11 patients with upper or lower jaw defects who underwent reconstruction using the TOF between 1994 and 1999. Results: The TOF was used to reconstruct a defect of the mandible in 7 patients, the hard palate in 2 patients, the maxilla in 1 patient, and the zygoma in 1 patient. The defect was a result of tumor resection in 9 patients and of trauma in 2 patients. The defect size ranged from 3 to 6 cm. Ten flaps (91%) were successful and 1 flap failed. There was 1 donor site complication (small dural tear) that was repaired immediately without sequelae. One patient had osseointegrated dental implants placed in the bone with good results. Exploration of the construction area was performed in 1 patient 13 months after surgery because of recurrent tumor. It showed a fully integrated bone flap. Conclusion: This vascularized calvarial bone flap can be used for the reconstruction of small to medium-sized defects of the maxilla and lateral mandible with good functional and cosmetic results. It can be performed without special microvascular expertise and with minimal donor site morbidity. A full-thickness bone flap can support osseointegrated dental implants. © 2002 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 60:619-622, 2002
Solution of inverse ODE using Bezier functions

The identification of the actual form of the differential equation and the boundary conditions from a set of discrete data points has been a challenging problem for many decades. A unique two-step approach developed in this article can solve this particular inverse boundary value problem. In the first step, the data are fitted using the best Bezier function. Parametric Bezier functions, based on Bernstein polynomials, allow efficient approximation of smooth data and can generate the derivatives. Bezier functions are also good at handling measured data. The Bezier fit is smooth and large orders of the polynomials can be used for approximation without oscillation. In the second step, the known derivatives are introduced in a generic model of the differential equation. This generic form includes two types of unknowns, real numbers and integers. The real numbers are part of the coefficients of the various terms multiplying the derivatives, while the integers are exponents of the derivatives. The unknown expon...
Local Wall Temperature Measurements in Microchannel Flow Boiling Using Infrared Thermography

Quantitative measurement of channel wall temperature in two-phase microchannel flows using infrared thermography is discussed. In particular, the top channel wall temperature of a branching microchannel silicon heat sink is presented. Quantitative temperature measurements require several considerations in the design and fabrication of the heat sink and test facility, in calibration, and in data analysis; each of these are discussed. Temperature measurements, with a spatial resolution of 10 μm, are presented over an 18 mm × 18 mm area of the heat sink during flow boiling.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Reconsidering the double standard of aging: Effects of gender and sexual orientation on facial attractiveness ratings

Abstract This study reconsiders the “double standard of aging” hypothesis, which states that older women are judged as being less attractive than older men. We considered the subjects sexual orientation (i.e., heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual) and showed that older women were not judged more negatively than older men per se. Male subjects exhibited a stronger youth bias than females, but only if the target picture was a potential sexual partner. Females showed an equal amount of preference for youthful faces, independent of the targets sex and regardless of whether the target was a potential sexual partner.
Delivery Lags and the Demand for Investment

The literature on the theory of investment has expanded greatly in recent years. One problem that has captured the attention of much of this literature is that of establishing a theoretical basis for the investment demand function of a firm. As Haavelmo [7] pointed out, the static neo-classical theory of the firm, while it implies a demand for capital, does not generally yield a finite demand for investment. To resolve this problem, many authors3 have built costs of adjustment into the firm's optimization process in order to account for the delay that buyers of capital goods experience in adjusting their capital stock. Although such costs are certainly important in explaining determinate rates of investment, other kinds of adjustment delays also appear in capital goods markets. Specifically, delivery lagsthe period of time between the placement of an order for a capital good and its subsequent delivery-are also a salient feature of capital goods markets. Yet, the implications for the demand for investment of the presence of delivery lags remain relatively unexplored.4 A great deal of the empirical literature on investment focuses on investigating the determinants of investment expenditures. But the presence of delivery lags implies that time5 has elapsed between the decision to invest, or the demand for investment, which in turn takes expression in (say) the placement of an order for a capital good, and the expenditure to which that decision ultimately gives rise, since typically investment expenditures are made when the capital good is delivered. Hence, if one is fundamentally interested in the determinants of investment demand, it is essential that this timing distinction be coped with in specifying empirical models. Even when delivery lags are recognized in empirical work, however, they are introduced into the model after the theory is completed and thus their effect on investment demand is essentially ignored. The typical procedure' is to provide a theoretical argument to specify the determinants of the investment decision. It is then usually assumed that it takes time for the investment decision to be brought to completion with the delivery of the capital good at which time the actual expenditure takes place. But, the fact that
Organizational readiness in specialty mental health care.

Implementing quality improvement efforts in clinics is challenging. Assessment of organizational “readiness” for change can set the stage for implementation by providing information regarding existing strengths and deficiencies, thereby increasing the chance of a successful improvement effort. This paper discusses organizational assessment in specialty mental health, in preparation for improving care for individuals with schizophrenia. To assess organizational readiness for change in specialty mental health in order to facilitate locally tailored implementation strategies. EQUIP-2 is a site-level controlled trial at nine VA medical centers (four intervention, five control). Providers at all sites completed an organizational readiness for change (ORC) measure, and key stakeholders at the intervention sites completed a semi-structured interview at baseline. At the four intervention sites, 16 administrators and 43 clinical staff completed the ORC, and 38 key stakeholders were interviewed. The readiness domains of training needs, communication, and change were the domains with lower mean scores (i.e., potential deficiencies) ranging from a low of 23.8 to a high of 36.2 on a scale of 10–50, while staff attributes of growth and adaptability had higher mean scores (i.e., potential strengths) ranging from a low of 35.4 to a high of 41.1. Semi-structured interviews revealed that staff perceptions and experiences of change and decision-making are affected by larger structural factors such as change mandates from VA headquarters. Motivation for change, organizational climate, staff perceptions and beliefs, and prior experience with change efforts contribute to readiness for change in specialty mental health. Sites with less readiness for change may require more flexibility in the implementation of a quality improvement intervention. We suggest that uptake of evidence-based practices can be enhanced by tailoring implementation efforts to the strengths and deficiencies of the organizations that are implementing quality improvement changes.
Mediation: An Intervention Strategy for Counselors

Conflict resolution is a rapidly expanding field, one in which counselors need to be more knowledgeable. An overview of conflict resolution and mediation concepts is presented with a comparison to therapeutic counseling interventions. Applications are provided for various areas such as family mediation, community disputes, and mediation in public education. Implications for counseling and the role of the counselor are discussed.
Editorial misconduct in Science.

Evidence is presented on editorial misconduct in Science, with particular reference to prejudice and bias against environmental, consumer, and occupational concerns.
Cognitive Engineering for Geographic Information Science

Abstract Geographic information science provides the foundation for the development ofgeospatial tools and services that support people in their spatio-temporal decision-making. In order to offer useful and useable solutions, principles of human spatialcognition regarding the representation and processing of spatial and temporalaspects of phenomena must be considered in the design of these tools. Such cognitively engineered geospatial services aim for cognitive adequacy and thereforefacilitation of user interaction. This article argues for the necessity of cognitiveengineering methods in the field of geographic information science by explicatingtheir theoretical foundation and demonstrating practical geospatial applications. Itfurther provides a framework for classifying cognitive user parameters, which canbe employed for the personalization of geospatial services. Introduction Geographic information science (GIScience) is concerned with thesystematic study of all aspects regarding geographic information. Suchinformation is eventually used by people to solve spatial tasks (NationalResearch Council 2006), such as finding one’s way around a city orlooking for a place to live. It is therefore necessary that the tools, whichsupport us in our spatial decision-making – geographic informationsystems (GIS) and geographic information services (GIServices) – aredesigned and engineered by taking into account principles of humancognition (Anderson 2005). This will facilitate people’s interaction withthese systems and lead to more useful and usable solutions to their spatialproblems.
Steep gravity waves: Havelock’s method revisited

Gravity waves propagating at the surface of a fluid of infinite depth are considered. The problem is formulated in terms of a series expansion attributable to Havelock [Proc. R. Soc. London Ser. A 95, 38 (1919)]. The series is truncated after a finite number of terms and the unknown coefficients are found by collocation. It is shown that this simple numerical procedure yields accurate results for waves of arbitrary steepness.
Revisiting Monomeric HIV-1 Protease: CHARACTERIZATION AND REDESIGN FOR IMPROVED PROPERTIES

Interactions between the C-terminal interface residues (96-99) of the mature HIV-1 protease were shown to be essential for dimerization, whereas the N-terminal residues () and Arg(87) contribute to dimer stability (Ishima, R., Ghirlando, R., Tozser, J., Gronenborn, A. M., Torchia, D. A., and Louis, J. M. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 49110-49116). Here we show that the intramonomer interaction between the side chains of Asp(29) and Arg(87) influences dimerization significantly more than the intermonomer interaction between Asp(29) and Arg(8'). Several mutants, including T26A, destablize the dimer, exhibit a monomer fold, and are prone to aggregation. To alleviate this undesirable property, we designed proteins in which the N- and C-terminal regions can be linked intramolecularly by disulfide bonds. In particular, cysteine residues were introduced at positions 2 and 97 or 98. A procedure for the efficient preparation of intrachain-linked polypeptides is presented, and it is demonstrated that the Q2C/L97C variant exhibits a native-like single subunit fold. It is anticipated that monomeric proteases of this kind will aid in the discovery of novel inhibitors aimed at binding to the monomer at the dimerization interface. This extends the target area of current inhibitors, all of which bind across the active site formed by both subunits in the active dimer.
Education in the workplace for the physician: clinical management states as an organizing framework.

AbstractMedical educators are interested in approaches to making selected relevant knowledge available in the context of problem-based care. This is of value both during the process of care and as a means of organizing information for offline self-study. Four trends in health information technology
Quasi-Monte Carlo integration

The standard Monte Carlo approach to evaluating multidimensional integrals using (pseudo)-random integration nodes is frequently used when quadrature methods are too difficult or expensive to implement. As an alternative to the random methods, it has been suggested that lower error and improved convergence may be obtained by replacing the pseudo-random sequences with more uniformly distributed sequences known as quasi-random. In this paper quasi-random (Halton, Sobol`, and Faure) and pseudo-random sequences are compared in computational experiments designed to determine the effects on convergence of certain properties of the integrand, including variance, variation, smoothness, and dimension. The results show that variation, which plays an important role in the theoretical upper bound given by the Koksma-Hlawka inequality, does not affect convergence, while variance, the determining factor in random Monte Carlo, is shown to provide a rough upper bound, but does not accurately predict performance. In general, quasi-Monte Carlo methods are superior to random Monte Carlo, but the advantage may be slight, particularly in high dimensions or for integrands that are not smooth. For discontinuous integrands, we derive a bound which shows that the exponent for algebraic decay of the integration error from quasi-Monte Carlo is only slightly larger than {1/2} in high dimensions.more » 21 refs., 6 figs., 5 tabs.« less
Recurrent metastatic Klatskin's carcinoid tumor to celiac lymph nodes in a teenager: diagnosis by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy with immunocytochemical correlation.

Tumors of the extrahepatic ducts are relatively rare and consist mostly of adenocarcinomas. Carcinoid tumors of the bile duct are exceedingly rare (1–4). Only 26 cases of carcinoid tumors of the bile duct are reported in the literature (5); 3 of these occurred in childhood or adolescence (1,6,7). Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsy is an effective method for tissue diagnosis of periintestinal lymphadenopathy, especially in the posterior mediastinum and the celiac axis area (8). We report this case to illustrate the role of EUS-FNA in diagnosing recurrent metastatic carcinoid Klatskin’s tumor to a celiac lymph node in a teenager.
Bis[(S,S)‐1,2‐dimethoxy‐1,2‐bis­(1‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)ethane]palladium(II) dichloride

Chiral crystals of the title salt, [Pd(C20H22N4O2)2]Cl2, contain [Pd(L1)2]2+ cations [L1 is (S,S)-1,2-dimethoxy-1,2-bis­(1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethane] separated by disordered Cl− anions. Two geometrically constraining L1 ligands coordinate each PdII ion facially to yield a distorted tetra­gonal N4(imine)+O2(meth­oxy) coordination geometry.
Application of capture-recapture models to estimation of protein count in MudPIT experiments.

MudPIT is an automated shotgun proteomics approach that enhances the separation of peptides for sequencing by mass spectrometry analysis.We here adapt a mathematical model from ecology, namely, the capture−recapture model with a closed population and time-varying and heterogeneous individual probabilities of capture, to model the number of peptide identifications across the various cycles of a typical MudPIT experiment. In the absence of any prior information on abundance levels, the model can be used to estimate the total number of proteins in the experimental sample. We apply the model to a recent MudPIT-based experiment to estimate the total number of rat lung endothelial cell surface proteins. The model provides some practical guidelines for planning MudPIT experiments.
Sex Steroids Localized to the Amygdala Increase Pain Responses to Visceral Stimulation in Rats

Abstract Females are disproportionately affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with menstrual cycle-dependent fluctuations in abdominal pain suggesting a role for ovarian hormones. IBS patients also exhibit greater activation of brain areas involved in pain affect such as the amygdala, yet the role of supraspinal processes in the effects of ovarian hormones on visceral pain is largely unexplored. The goal of the current study was to determine whether sex steroids act at the level of the amygdala to alter colonic pain sensitivity. Ovariectomized rats received implants on the amygdala of progesterone, estradiol, progesterone combined with estradiol, or cholesterol as a control to examine the involvement of the amygdala in ovarian hormone-mediated changes in visceral sensitivity. Visceral sensitivity was quantified as the number of abdominal contractions, a visceromotor response (VMR), in response to graded pressures of colorectal distension (CRD). Somatic sensitivity was also assessed by measuring the mechanical force required to elicit hindpaw withdrawal. Elevated levels of progesterone and/or estradiol on the amygdala heightened the responsiveness to CRD; in contrast, neither estradiol nor progesterone altered somatic sensation. Furthermore, administration of progesterone or estradiol to areas adjacent to the amygdala did not affect visceral sensitivity. Future studies will address the specific steroid receptors mediating the effects of progesterone and estradiol. Perspective To our knowledge, this study represents the first description of a specific brain site mediating the effects of ovarian steroids on visceral sensitivity. These data also suggest that an amygdala-dependent mechanism may be responsible, at least in part, for the exacerbation of visceral symptomatology in females.
TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUTING IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA.

Neo-traditional designs, proponents argue, reduce dependency on the automobile and provide attractive environments for walking, bicycling, and transit riding. This paper explores the extent to which this proposition holds for seven traditional neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area that evolved around early streetcar services. Matched-pair comparisons of modal shares and trip generation rates for work trips are made between these neighborhoods and newer auto-oriented suburbs, controlling for the effects of income and, to a lesser extent, existing bus service levels. Pedestrian/bicycle modal shares and trip rates tended to be considerably higher, in some cases five time as high, in transit-oriented than in the paired auto-oriented neighborhood. Transit neighborhoods also averaged around 70 more daily transit work trips per 1,000 households than auto-oriented neighborhoods, though trip rates varied considerably among neighborhood pairs. Higher residential densities were also found to have a proportionately greater impact on transit commuting in transit-oriented than in auto-oriented neighborhoods. The paper concludes that in order to yield significant transportation benefits, neo-traditional development must be coordinated with larger regional planning efforts and public policy initiatives to reduce automobile dependency.
Expression and Purification of Zinc Finger Antiviral Protein

Ever since the discovery of viruses so many years ago there have been researchers of many different fields racing to find the perfect inhibitor. Any and all discoveries of viral resistance have been taken into a spotlight to discover the mechanisms. Zinc Finger Antiviral Protein (ZAP) is found in the kidney and liver cells of Rattus norvegicus; this protein makes these cells more resistant to viral infection. Gao et al concluded that ZAP facilitates inhibition of the antiviral gene expression, one of the major propagation steps (rather than inhibition of infection ZAP affects viral expression) by binding viral mRNA. Since then ZAP has been shown to increase resistance against Moloney Murine Leukemia virus, Sindbis virus, Ebola virus, and Marburg virus. Activity of ZAP containing four CCCH zinc fingers seems to be dependent on the integrity of the second and fourth CCCH zinc fingers. With HIV in mind, which is also a retrovirus, we have concluded that ZAP will have profound and influential implications.Our goal is to determine the structure of the zinc-binding domain of ZAP using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Zap was expressed as a fusion protein in E. coli with several different cleavage conditions and purified using Immobilized Metal Ion Affinity Chromatography (IMAC) were screened and found unsuccessful in that the cleaved ZAP was insoluble. However, we are currently working on the smaller ZAP proteins that only contain two zinc fingers; their constructs show promising results in terms of solubility after cleavage.
Rural development policy in the United States: a critical analysis and lessons from the “still birth” of the rural collaborative investment program

The development of a comprehensive rural development policy in the United States has been stymied repeatedly. A number of factors account for the low salience of rural development on the domestic policy agenda, from misconceptions about the economic composition of rural areas to the pitting of agriculture against broader rural development constituencies. The Rural Collaborative Investment Program (RCIP) from the 2008 “Farm Bill” is used to illustrate how the latest attempt to give rural communities and regions the capacity to tailor rural development programming to serve local needs ultimately failed due to a prohibition on spending funds to implement the legislation. The RCIP was essentially a stillborn policy because Congress never appropriated the funds needed to give it life. This article suggests that a better approach to advancing comprehensive rural development in the United States is to avoid placing “Rural Development” policy as a stand-alone initiative under the US Department of Agriculture. Ins...
A low dose of the alpha2 agonist clonidine ameliorates the visual attention and spatial working memory deficits produced by phencyclidine administration to rats

Psychotomimetic N-methyl-d-aspartate/glutamate receptor antagonists, such as phencyclidine (PCP), have been shown to produce a spectrum of behavioral, neurochemical and anatomical changes in rats that are relevant to aspects of schizophrenia, including impairments of working memory and visual attention. The alpha2 noradrenergic receptor agonist clonidine prevents some of the behavioral effects of NMDA antagonists, suggesting that monoaminergic systems mediate some aspects of these deficits. We sought to determine the ability of clonidine to modify the PCP-induced deficits of visual attention and spatial working memory in rats. In a lateralized reaction time task, a lower dose of clonidine (10 μg/kg) ameliorated the impairment of choice accuracy produced by PCP (2.5 mg/kg, IP), while the higher dose of clonidine (50 μg/kg) slowed response times and induced a deficit of choice accuracy on its own. The high dose of clonidine effectively prevented the motor impulsivity produced by PCP. In addition, clonidine (10 μg/kg) prevented PCP-induced performance deficits in a delayed non-match to sample task. These data indicate that clonidine may attenuate deficits of attention and working memory produced by PCP, perhaps in part by preventing some of the downstream neurochemical and anatomical effects of this psychotomimetic drug.
A simple dynamic jamming game

The paper finds optimal strategies for a simple dynamic communication jamming game in which the limitations of transmitter cooling resources impose memory requirements on the strategies of the players. >
STUDIES ON THE MODE OF ACTION OF DIPHTHERIA TOXIN V. INHIBITION OF PEPTIDE BOND FORMATION BY TOXIN AND NAD IN CELL-FREE SYSTEMS AND ITS REVERSAL BY NICOTINAMIDE

Intracellular levels of ATP, GTP, and hexose phosphates have been determined in HeLa cells at intervals after exposure to saturating doses of diphtheria toxin. Toxin causes no significant change in the level of any of these phosphorylated intermediates either in the presence or absence of glucose over a period of at least 5 to 6 hours. It is concluded that the inhibition of protein synthesis which occurs in HeLa cells at about 2 hours after the addition of saturating doses of toxin, does not result from an effect of toxin on energy metabolism.
Climatology of dematiaceous fungal keratitis.

Purpose To explore how seasonal climate patterns may influence the epidemiology of human keratomycosis. Design Retrospective ecological study. Methods The seasonality of 52 episodes of dematiaceous fungal keratitis occurring along the Gulf of Mexico from 1972 to 2004 was examined. The temperature and relative humidity on the date of onset of 36 eyes with Curvularia keratitis was then compared with regional atmospheric conditions. Results A relative increase in the diagnosis of dematiaceous fungal keratitis occurred during late summer and persisted throughout autumn. The onset of Curvularia keratitis clustered in warm, humid months. Conclusions Ocular phaeohyphomycosis, including curvulariosis, varies with seasonal weather in the subtropics.
Automatic Left Ventricle Segmentation Using Iterative Thresholding and an Active Contour Model With Adaptation on Short-Axis Cardiac MRI

An automatic left ventricle (LV) segmentation algorithm is presented for quantification of cardiac output and myocardial mass in clinical practice. The LV endocardium is first segmented using region growth with iterative thresholding by detecting the effusion into the surrounding myocardium and tissues. Then the epicardium is extracted using the active contour model guided by the endocardial border and the myocardial signal information estimated by iterative thresholding. This iterative thresholding and active contour model with adaptation (ITHACA) algorithm was compared to manual tracing used in clinical practice and the commercial MASS Analysis software (General Electric) in 38 patients, with Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. The ITHACA algorithm provided substantial improvement over the MASS software in defining myocardial borders. The ITHACA algorithm agreed well with manual tracing with a mean difference of blood volume and myocardial mass being 2.9 ± 6.2 mL (mean ± standard deviation) and -0.9 ± 16.5 g, respectively. The difference was smaller than the difference between manual tracing and the MASS software (approximately -20.0 ± 6.9 mL and -1.0 ± 20.2 g, respectively). These experimental results support that the proposed ITHACA segmentation is accurate and useful for clinical practice.
B7h is required for T cell activation, differentiation, and effector function

T helper (Th) cell activation, differentiation, and immune function are regulated by costimulatory molecules. Inducible costimulator (ICOS) is a recently identified costimulatory receptor expressed on activated T cells. A ligand for ICOS, B7h, is expressed on B cells and other types of antigen-presenting cells (APC). Although ICOS has been shown to be essential in T cell activation and differentiation, the regulatory roles of B7h at different stages of T cell immune responses have not been examined genetically. In this study, we generated and analyzed B7h-deficient mice. We present evidence that B7h is the only ligand for ICOS, and ICOS, its only corresponding receptor. Th cells, when activated with B7h-deficient APC, exhibited reduced proliferation and IL-2 production. In addition, Th cells produced significantly reduced amounts of IL-4 and -13 after differentiation at the presence of B7h–/– APC. This cytokine defect was associated with a deficiency in c-Maf expression and could be rescued completely by c-Maf overexpression in T cells. Furthermore, we showed that effector T cells, when restimulated in the presence of B7h-deficient APC, exhibited reduced Th2 cytokine production. Therefore, B7h is required for proper Th cell activation, differentiation, and effector cytokine expression.
Staining of Tissue Sections for Electron Microscopy with Heavy Metals II. Application of Solutions Containing Lead and Barium

Descriptions of three heavy metal stains and methods of application to tissue sections for electron microscopy are presented. Lead hydroxide stains rather selectively two types of particles in liver: those associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and containing ribonucleic acid and other somewhat larger particles. Barium hydroxide emphasizes certain bodies within vesicles of the Golgi region of hepatic cells. Alkalized lead acetate is useful as a general stain, as are also lead and barium hydroxides.
A Comparison of Metered-Dose Inhaled Albuterol Versus Endotracheal Liquid Bolus Albuterol for the Treatment of Bronchoconstriction

INTRODUCTION: Aerosolized albuterol delivery is a mainstay treatment for bronchoconstriction; however, almost no data exist that evaluate the clinical outcome of instillation of an endotracheal liquid bolus (ELB) of a bronchodilator directly into the airway. METHODS: This randomized trial sought to evaluate the efficacy of albuterol lavage via artificial airway with accompanied patient positioning. Subjects receiving mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure with clinical manifestations of bronchoconstriction were assigned to initially receive either traditional albuterol via metered-dose inhaler (MDI) or albuterol via ELB lavage with follow-up administration of the other therapy after a 4-h washout period. Clinical data were collected at baseline and at 5 and 30 min post-treatment. RESULTS: Fourteen subjects (5 males, 9 females; mean age of 57.5 y) were included in this study. In the group receiving initial ELB, peak airway pressure decreased significantly ( P = .02), and a significant decrease in airway resistance mean scores was seen from baseline to 30 min post-treatment ( P < .001) and from 5 to 30 min post-treatment ( P = .003), with no significant effects seen with follow-up MDI. In the initial MDI treatment group, no significant effect on peak airway pressure or airway resistance was noted. SpO2 increased at 5 min post-treatment with ELB. In contrast, SpO2 decreased 30 min post-treatment with MDI. Mean arterial pressure decreased post-treatment with ELB. The pattern in heart rate change post-treatment with ELB was similar to that post-treatment with MDI, with a significant increase at the 5-min interval from baseline ( P < .01), followed by a significant decrease at the 30-min interval ( P < .001). There were no differences in dynamic compliance at each time interval following administration of both the MDI ( P = .92) and ELB conditions ( P = .18). CONCLUSIONS: ELB albuterol lavage may be a viable option to reverse bronchoconstriction in intubated patients with limited response to traditional aerosolized albuterol via MDI.
Tangential Vector Finite Elements For Semiconductor Device Simulation

The authors present a finite element method for semiconductor device simulation using tangential vector finite element basis functions. Tangential vector basis functions are derived by reference to Whitney forms. In the new formulation, current is approximated by a quadratic polynomial, rather than as a constant within the element as has been done previously; the tangential components of a vector along the mesh edges are expressed in a consistent manner with the other variables, and the weak form of the device equations is integrated exactly. It is shown that this weak form is closely related to the Voronoi cell method and that an artificial diffusion constant may be used to stabilize the solutions. Numerical studies show that the new method is superior to the Scharfetter-Gummel algorithm in cases of obtuse and irregular triangulations. >
Dynamics of bullet shaped bubbles encountered in vertical gas liquid slug flow

A theoretical analysis is presented of the liquid film flowing around long, bullet shaped, gas bubbles which characterize the slug-flow regime in two-phase flow through vertical pipe. Integral mass and momentum balances on the liquid film allow the prediction of gas bubble shape, liquid holdup around the bubble, wall shear stress acting on the liquid film, and velocity profiles in the liquid film. These predictions are in good agreement with data available in the literature.
The Structural and Thermodynamic Basis for the Formation of Self‐Assembled Peptide Nanotubes

Nanostructures through self‐assembly: Suitably designed planar cyclic peptides like 1 form cylindrical dimers in nonpolar organic solvents. These ensembles are good models for the fundamental description of parallel and antiparallel β‐sheet structures as well as for the design of novel peptide nanostructures. The analysis of the structural and thermodynamic aspects of the dimerization process showed that the hydrogen bonds between the peptide backbones are crucial factors for the stability of the ensembles and selective formation of β‐sheet arrangements. Furthermore 1 crystallizes to form a novel, porous, solid‐state object with an amphiphilic tubular superlattice, which may have potential utility in the molecular inclusion of hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates. (Figure Presented.) Copyright © 1995 by VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Germany
Biological NMR spectral analysis by an expert system

An expert system has been developed to facilitate biological 31-phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (31-PNMR) spectral analysis and interpretation. The expert system represents knowledge as production rules that reason about signal extraction, noise treatment, resonance assignment, intracellular pH determination, and metabolite intensity quantitation. The results from analysis of NMR spectra obtained from cardiovascular studies demonstrated that this artificial intelligence technique combined with statistical and numerical methods provides a framework for an efficient and reliable system for the analysis of complex, noisy biological 31-PNMR spectra. >
Hazardous Waste Concerns & Solutions in a Microelectronics Laboratory

Microelectronic labs create some common classes of hazardous waste from solutions such as piranha etch, RCA cleans, etc. Safely handling these solutions while complying with EPA hazardous waste regulations can be a challenge. This presentation will briefly cover some of the regulations dealing with these issues and how the Cornell NanoScale Facility (CNF) has worked to follow them. Over the years, various incidents have occurred that have lead to the CNF developing some unique solutions to a few of these problems commonly facing labs handling this type of waste. An overview of some of these incidents will be presented, along with the solutions developed to mitigate future risk.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea–Hypopnea and Incident Stroke: the Sleep Heart Health Study

Rationale: Although obstructive sleep apnea is associated with physiological perturbations that increase risk of hypertension and are proatherogenic, it is uncertain whether sleep apnea is associated with increased stroke risk in the general population. Objectives: To quantify the incidence of ischemic stroke with sleep apnea in a community-based sample of men and women across a wide range of sleep apnea. Methods: Baseline polysomnography was performed between 1995 and 1998 in a longitudinal cohort study. The primary exposure was the obstructive apnea–hypopnea index (OAHI) and outcome was incident ischemic stroke. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 5,422 participants without a history of stroke at the baseline examination and untreated for sleep apnea were followed for a median of 8.7 years. One hundred ninety-three ischemic strokes were observed. In covariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models, a significant positive association between ischemic stroke and OAHI was observed in men (P value for linear trend: P = 0.016). Men in the highest OAHI quartile (>19) had an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.1–7.4). In the mild to moderate range (OAHI, 5–25), each one-unit increase in OAHI in men was estimated to increase stroke risk by 6% (95% confidence interval, 2–10%). In women, stroke was not significantly associated with OAHI quartiles, but increased risk was observed at an OAHI greater than 25. Conclusions: The strong adjusted association between ischemic stroke and OAHI in community-dwelling men with mild to moderate sleep apnea suggests that this is an appropriate target for future stroke prevention trials.
Jamming-resistant rate adaptation in Wi-Fi networks

We introduce a theoretical framework to formally analyze the vulnerability of IEEE 802.11 rate adaptation algorithms (RAAs) to selective jamming attacks, and to develop countermeasures providing provable performance guarantees. Thus, we propose a new metric called Rate of Jamming (RoJ), wherein a low RoJ implies that an RAA is highly vulnerable to jamming attacks, while a high RoJ implies that the RAA is resilient. We prove that several state-of-the-art RAAs, such as ARF and SampleRate, have a low RoJ (i.e., 10% or lower). Next, we propose a robust RAA, called Randomized ARF (RARF). Using tools from renewal theory, we derive a closed-form lower bound on the RoJ of RARF. We validate our theoretical analysis using ns-3 simulations and show that the minimum jamming rate required against RARF is about 33% (i.e., at least three times higher than the RoJ of other RAAs).
MacA, a Diheme c-Type Cytochrome Involved in Fe(III) Reduction by Geobacter sulfurreducens

A 36-kDa diheme c-type cytochrome abundant in Fe(III)-respiring Geobacter sulfurreducens, designated MacA, was more highly expressed during growth with Fe(III) as the electron acceptor than with fumarate. Although MacA has homology to proteins with in vitro peroxidase activity, deletion of macA had no impact on response to oxidative stress. However, the capacity for Fe(III) reduction was greatly diminished, indicating that MacA, which is predicted to be localized in the periplasm, is a key intermediate in electron transfer to Fe(III).