cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vigilance in young baboons: effects of habitat, age, sex and maternal rank on glance rate

Abstract Abstract. Glance rates, a measure of vigilance, were sampled in infant and young juvenile yellow baboons, Papio cynocephalus , in Amboseli, Kenya, to test ecological and social predictions about the ontogeny of vigilance. Glance rates of young baboons did not vary between closed and open habitats, but did vary with sex, maternal rank and age. Daughters of low-ranking mothers glanced significantly more often than daughters of high-ranking mothers, and the converse was true for males. Glance rates of females, but not males, decreased significantly between 6 and 24 months of age.
Restructuring God Ideologies in Work Spaces: A Critical Catholic Perspective

This paper attempts to unveil new ways of making sense of our organizational realities through theology. As someone trained in theology, I would like to offer fresh insights related to the intersectionality of theology and work. I start from the assumption that theologies as ideologies cannot be viewed as distinct or set apart from the structural frameworks by which the capitalist system and many work organizations are formed and by which they operate. A careful and critical approach to theology will reveal that certain privileged theo-ideologies inform the structures of many workplaces. This dominant god ideology is reinforced in the Catholic social teaching on work, enabling the marginalization and dehumanization of workers on the basis of their socioeconomic status. A call for a restructuring of our theo-ideologies is put forth. I offer an alternative representation of the divine through feminist and process theological insights rooted in a post-structuralist framework.
The role of radiation therapy in malignant thymoma: a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database analysis.

Introduction The potential benefits and long-term complications of radiotherapy treatment for malignant thymoma are unclear. This is a retrospective analysis of outcome in patients with malignant thymoma from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 1973 and 2005. Methods Of the 1987 patients identified, 1334 were analyzed. Patients were categorized according to the Masaoka staging system as stage I to IIA, IIB or III to IV. The primary end points were overall survival, cardiac mortality, and the development of secondary malignancies. Results Patients received surgery and radiation (50%), surgery alone (26%), radiation alone (12%), or no treatment (12%). The median follow-up time for survivors was 65 months (range, 1–361 months). There was no significant increase in the 12-year cumulative incidence rate of death from heart disease (10.2% radiation versus 7.5% no radiation, p = 0.83) or incidence of secondary malignancies (11.7% versus 12.4%, p = 0.70) with radiation. Compared with surgery alone, adjuvant radiation significantly improved overall survival in patients with stage III to IV disease ( p = 0.04) and demonstrated a nonsignificant trend in patients with stage IIB disease ( p = 0.09). However, after excluding patients surviving less than 4 months to account for surgical mortality, the benefit with radiation was no longer significant (stage IIB: p = 0.45, stage III–IV: p = 0.44). Conclusions Radiation does not seem to increase the risk of cardiac mortality or secondary malignancy in patients with malignant thymoma. Although the routine use of postoperative radiotherapy in malignant thymoma does not appear warranted, high-risk patients may benefit from adjuvant radiation. This study can help to design prospective trials to further establish the role of radiotherapy in malignant thymoma.
Maintaining very large random samples using the geometric file

Random sampling is one of the most fundamental data management tools available. However, most current research involving sampling considers the problem of how to use a sample, and not how to compute one. The implicit assumption is that a "sample" is a small data structure that is easily maintained as new data are encountered, even though simple statistical arguments demonstrate that very large samples of gigabytes or terabytes in size can be necessary to provide high accuracy. No existing work tackles the problem of maintaining very large, disk-based samples from a data management perspective, and no techniques now exist for maintaining very large samples in an online manner from streaming data. In this paper, we present online algorithms for maintaining on-disk samples that are gigabytes or terabytes in size. The algorithms are designed for streaming data, or for any environment where a large sample must be maintained online in a single pass through a data set. The algorithms meet the strict requirement that the sample always be a true, statistically random sample (without replacement) of all of the data processed thus far. We also present algorithms to retrieve small size random sample from large disk-based sample which may be used for various purposes including statistical analyses by a DBMS.
The Scientific Visualization of Organizations: A Rationale for a New Approach to Organizational Modeling*

This article examines the rationale for the application of a new research tool, scientific visualization, to the study of organizations. Based upon a general theory of visualization, the ability to simultaneously display both variables and organizational entities should allow for easier and more widespread analysis of organizational research issues. Applications and future directions for both research and praxis are discussed.
Focal and generalized experimental seizures induced by homocysteine

Electrocorticographic and behavioral effects of parenteral injections of homocysteine in rats are described. Homocysteine activates experimental foci and produces focal seizures in experimental animals with pre-existing lesions. It produces generalized ECoG seizures and generalized convulsions in unlesioned animals in higher doses.
Glutamate transporter EAAT2: a new target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Glutamate is the primary excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter in the CNS. The concentration of glutamate in the synaptic cleft is tightly controlled by interplay between glutamate release and glutamate clearance. Abnormal glutamate release and/or dysfunction of glutamate clearance can cause overstimulation of glutamate receptors and result in neuronal injury known as excitotoxicity. The glial glutamate transporter EAAT2 plays a major role in glutamate clearance. Dysfunction or reduced expression of EAAT2 has been documented in many neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, many studies in animal models of disease indicate that increased EAAT2 expression provides neuronal protection. Here, we summarize these studies and suggest that EAAT2 is a potential target for the prevention of excitotoxicity. EAAT2 can be upregulated by transcriptional or translational activation. We discuss current progress in the search for EAAT2 activators, which is a promising direction for the treatment of neurodegenerative dise...
THREE-DIMENSIONAL INVERSION OF TIME-DISTANCE HELIOSEISMOLOGY DATA: RAY-PATH AND FRESNEL-ZONE APPROXIMATIONS

Time-distance helioseismology has provided important new insight into the subphotospheric structure and dynamics of sunspots, active regions, supergranular cells, and large-scale flows. These inferences have been made by using either the ray-path or Fresnel-zone approximations. We present inversion results of travel-time perturbations of wavepackets propagating inside the Sun, using both ray-path and Fresnel-zone kernels for real and artificial data. The ray approximation was the first approximation used in time-distance helioseismology for deriving the sensitivity of travel times to perturbations in the solar interior. However, new types of sensitivity kernels are being developed to take into account finite-wavelength effects (such as kernels based on a Fresnel-zone approximation) and thus improve the resolution and accuracy of the inversions. Since many results have been obtained with the ray-path approximation, it is important to compare them with the new Fresnel-zone inversions to quantify their accuracy. We have applied the two approximations to artificial and real data and concluded that both approximations provide similar results for structures lying within the scope of the kernels. Nonetheless, the vertical structure can be inferred at greater depth with the Fresnel-zone kernels than with the ray-path ones, using the same travel-time data. Applying Fresnel-zone inversion to the MDI time-distance data of 1998 June 20 we confirm the two-part structure of the sunspots previously derived with the ray approximation.
Chemical Identification of a Tumor-Derived Angiogenic Factor

Neoplasms produce substances that induce blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). Fractions from ethanol extracts of the Walker 256 carcinoma were isolated by silica column chromatography and C18 reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Two of the isolated fractions induced neovascularization when tested in the rabbit corneal micropocket assay. One of the fractions was identified as nicotinamide by desorption-electron impact mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The second active fraction contained nicotinamide as part of a more complex, as yet unidentified, molecular arrangement. Microgram quantities of commercial nicotinamide induced neovascularization in the corneal micropocket assay and in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay.
Lung transplantation for primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract Background . Single lung transplantation (SLT) and bilateral lung transplantation (BLT) are routinely performed in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) and secondary pulmonary hypertension (SPH). It is unclear which procedure is preferable. We reviewed our experience with lung transplants for PPH and SPH to determine if any advantage exists with SLT or BLT for either PPH or SPH. Methods . We reviewed the outcomes of all lung transplants performed for PPH or SPH for 4.5 years (July 1995 to January 2000). Survival was reported by the Kaplan-Meier method, and log rank analysis was used to determine significance. Statistical analyses of clinical data were performed using analysis of variance and χ 2 analysis. Results . A total of 57 recipients met criteria for pulmonary hypertension with a mean pulmonary artery pressure of greater than or equal to 30 mm Hg. There were 15 patients with PPH and 40 patients with SPH. There were 6 patients who had SLTs and 9 patients who had BLTs in the PPH group; and there were 9 patients who had SLTs and 21 patients who had BLTs in the SPH group. We found a survival advantage for PPH patients who underwent BLTs at all time points up to 4 years (100% vs 67%; p ≤ 0.02). There was no clear advantage to SLTs or BLTs for SPH. At 4 years there was a trend toward improved survival with SLTs (91% vs 75%) in SPH patients with a mean pulmonary artery pressure less than or equal to 40 mm Hg ( p ≤ 0.11) with equivalent survival (80%) in patients with a mean pulmonary artery pressure greater than or equal to 40 mm Hg. There was also a trend toward improved survival in patients with a mean pulmonary artery pressure greater than or equal to 40 mm Hg (PPH and SPH) with BLTs (88% vs 62%; p = 0.19). The incidence of rejection, infection, and other complications was comparable between SLTs and BLTs in each group. Conclusions . We believe that BLT is the procedure of choice for PPH. The procedure of choice is less clear for SPH. Patients with SPH and a mean pulmonary artery pressure greater than 40 mm Hg may benefit from a BLT and those with a mean pulmonary artery pressure less than or equal to 40 mm Hg may do better with an SLT; however, no clear advantage is seen.
Pharmacokinetics of 23-epi-26-deoxyactein in women after oral administration of a standardized extract of black cohosh.

Dietary supplements containing black cohosh are alternatives to conventional hormone replacement therapy. This study investigates the maximum tolerated dose of a 75% ethanol extract of black cohosh and determines the pharmacokinetics of one of its most abundant triterpene glycosides, 23-epi-26-deoxyactein. Single doses of black cohosh extract containing 1.4, 2.8, or 5.6 mg of 23-epi-26-deoxyactein were administered to three groups of five women each. Serial blood draws and 24 h urine samples were obtained; blood chemistries, hormonal levels, and 23-epi-26-deoxyactein levels were determined. No acute toxicity or estrogenic hormone effects were observed. Pharmacokinetic analysis of 23-epi-26-deoxyactein in serum indicated that the maximum concentration and area under the curve increased proportionately with dosage, and the half-life was approximately 2 h for all dosages. Less than 0.01% of the 23-epi-26-deoxyactein was recovered in urine 24 h after administration. No phase I or phase II metabolites were observed in clinical specimens or in vitro.
Effect of solvents on the cryogenic dynamic mechanical properties of polystyrene

Young's modulus and mechanical damping of 15 organic liquids in polystyrene have been measured from 4°K to 250°K. The concentration was generally in the range from 10 to 15%, but the polystyrene–toluene system was investigated over the range from 0 to 16%. Some liquids cause the 40°K damping peak of polystyrene to disappear, other liquids do not. Seven of the liquids which cause the disappearance of the 40°K peak give rise to new large damping peaks at the temperature expected for the secondary glass transition temperatures of the liquids, that is, at 0.77 Tg of the liquids. Some of the liquids produced large unexplained damping peaks at temperatures above the expected glass transition temperatures Tg of the liquids. It is suggested that the γ peak in polystyrene is caused by styrene monomer.
Vertical distribution of mercury in sediments from the East Pacific Rise

Concentrations of mercury are often high in waters and sediments associated with volcanic hydrothermal systems, in both marine and terrestrial environments. Whereas the concentration of mercury in open ocean waters is reported to be in the range 0.002–0.05 µg 1−1 (refs 1–4), significantly higher values of up to 1.4 µg l−1 are reported in waters near, or having circulated through, areas of submarine hydrothermal activity2,5. Mercury concentrations of up to 400 p.p.b. (parts per 109) on a carbonate-free basis (CFB) have been measured in surface sediments on the East Pacific Rise crest, but concentrations decrease to <20 p.p.b. (CFB) on the peripheral seafloor6. Similar high concentrations from 160 to 890 p.p.b. (CFB) have been recorded in near-surface sediments from the median valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge7. We report here on the vertical variations of mercury in sediments from the East Pacific Rise, and suggest that increased concentrations are correlated with periods of increased submarine volcanic activity.
Severe visual impairment in children with mild or moderate retinal residua following regressed threshold retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose To describe clinical features of patients from the Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity (CRYO-ROP) trial who, after developing severe ROP in infancy, had minimal or moderate retinal residua in at least one eye but a visual acuity of worse than 20/200 in both eyes at the 10 year examination. Methods Data from the 10 year CRYO-ROP Trial follow-up exams were evaluated to identify all patients with retinal outcomes of no retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) residua, straightened temporal vessels, or macular heterotopia in at least one eye, but visual acuity less than 20/200 in both eyes. Presence of optic atrophy, nystagmus, and optic disk cupping and developmental survey results were examined. Results Of 247 patients examined at 10 years, 16 met our inclusion criteria. At the last age at which the following data were recorded, seven had optic atrophy at the 10 year examination, one had optic disk cupping >0.5 at the 5½ year examination, and eight had nystagmus under binocular conditions at the 24 month examination. Nine patients had a below-normal developmental test score on the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM). After clinical data interpretation, we concluded that the predominant cause of visual impairment was postgeniculate disease in five patients, ROP in six patients, and combined anterior and posterior visual pathway disease in two patients; in three patients data were insufficient to make a determination. Conclusions Poor visual function with mild to moderate retinal residua of severe ROP in at least one eye is relatively rare. In such patients, anterior, posterior, or combined visual pathway disease can occur.
Orbital stability of Earth-type planets in stellar binary systems

An important factor in estimating the likelihood of life elsewhere in the Universe is determining the stability of a planet's orbit. A significant fraction of stars like the Sun occur in binary systems which often has a considerable effect on the stability of any planets in such a system. In an effort to determine the stability of planets in binary star systems, we conducted a numerical simulation survey of several mass ratios and initial conditions. We then estimated the stability of the planetary orbit using a method that utilizes the hodograph to determine the effective eccentricity of the planetary orbit. We found that this method can serve as an orbital stability criterion for the planet.
Aweb object management policy for cooperative hybrid caching architecture

We discuss a predictive, hybrid caching structure that has eliminated the performance issues of the existing structures and proposed a new policy for discarding web objects that are not likely to be accessed by clients. Our proposed approach is performed based upon the predictive technique using tables of rules derived from actual experience of the web object requests. We discuss the previously proposed schemes with their disadvantages, and then describe an improved approach employing summary tables in each proxy cache and allowing the limited number of executions of the expensive predictions. We provide a simulation of the proposed policy using the NLANR proxy traces to show the impact this proposed policy has on the performance of the Internet with web object traffic.
Epileptogenic temporal cavernous malformations: Operative strategies and postoperative seizure outcomes

Operative treatment of epileptogenic cavernous malformations (CM) continues under debate. Most studies focus on surgery for supratentorial CM in general. For temporal lobe CM, surgical decision-making concerns in particular whether to perform lesionectomy alone or the additional excision of mesial temporal structures. The purpose of this case series was to evaluate operative strategies used to treat epileptogenic temporal CM and to report resultant postoperative seizure outcomes. Twelve consecutive cases of patients with medically intractable epilepsy who underwent operation for temporal CM between 1996 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. When the temporal CM directly invaded the hippocampus or amygdala, the affected structures were resected in addition to the lesion; when the CM was located in the superficial temporal cortex, and there was no radiographic evidence of hippocampal sclerosis, lesionectomy alone was done; with CM located between the superficial temporal cortex and the mesial temporal region, other factors were considered in decision-making, such as lesion proximity to the deep mesiotemporal structures and preoperative epilepsy duration. For six of the twelve patients, extended lesionectomy (EL) alone was done; for the other six, tailored anteromedial temporal resection with hippocampectomy and/or amygdalectomy was performed in addition to EL. Postoperatively, 11 patients - all with preoperative VEM demonstrating electroclinical seizure patterns concordant with lesion location - were seizure-free. We conclude that epileptogenic temporal CM are surgically remediable, when approached with the above operative strategies and presurgical VEM. On the basis of these postoperative seizure control results, we recommend consideration of concurrent resection of mesial temporal structures with EL for certain temporal CM.
A Mechanism for the Amelioration by Hyperbaric Oxygen of Experimental Staphylococcal Osteomyelitis in Rabbits

Although hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is as effective as cephalothin against osteomyelitis due to Staphylococcus aureus in the rabbit, the effect is not by directing killing. To investigate the mechanism, argon washouts (perfusion) and oxygen tensions were measured by intramedullary probes placed in the metaphyses of infected and uninfected tibias. In vitro phagocytic killing activity for S. aureus was determined at oxygen tensions found in these bones under ambient and HBO conditions. Mean tibial oxygen tensions (mm Hg) under ambient conditions were 21 (infected) and 45 (uninfected); under HBO conditions, 104 (infected) and 321 (uninfected). Perfusion was decreased in osteomyelitic bone and was not acutely increased by HBO in either normal or infected bone. Phagocytic killing of S. aureus was markedly decreased at 23 mm Hg of O2, significantly improved at 45 and 109 mm Hg, and most effective at 150 mm Hg. Thus, in osteomyelitic bone, HBO increased intramedullary oxygen to tensions consistent with normal phagocytic function.
Human perturbations and conservation strategies for San Pedro Mártir Island, Islas del Golfo de California Reserve, México

Summary Many sea-birds are dependent for breeding on islands free from both mammalian predators and high levels of human disturbance. Yet human use of small islands appears to be increasing in many parts of the world, including the >150 islands in the Gulf of California, Mexico. For this reason, the frequency and activities of human visitors to San Pedro Martir Island, one of the most important sea-bird nesting sites in Mexico, were studied over the course of 14 months of field work between 1990 and 1992. On average >350 people per month visited the near-shore waters. The most important visitors were: (1) commercial fishers in small open boats called pangas; (2) commercial fishers in larger ships; (3) private sport-fishers; and (4) commercial environmental-tourism groups. Private sportfishing boats were most frequently observed, but private sport-fishers rarely landed on shore and caused little apparent disturbance to nesting or roosting sea-birds or California sea-lions (Zalophus californicus). Commercial companies concerned with environmental tourism also caused little apparent disturbance to sea-birds or sea-lions, but only because the company that brought the majority of ‘ecotourists’ developed and followed guidelines to minimize disturbance. Disturbance caused by all tourists can be reduced at minimal cost to both tourists and protected-area managers. Commercial fishers were responsible for most of the apparent disturbances to sea-birds and sea-lions; decreasing this apparent impact will be more difficult. Most apparent human impact was found to be short term and localized. However, commercial fishers and scientific researchers have the potential to cause long-term changes to the terrestrial ecology of the island by introducing exotic species.
Synaptically evoked glutamate transporter currents in Spinal Dorsal Horn Astrocytes

Removing and sequestering synaptically released glutamate from the extracellular space is carried out by specific plasma membrane transporters that are primarily located in astrocytes. Glial glutamate transporter function can be monitored by recording the currents that are produced by co-transportation of Na+ ions with the uptake of glutamate. The goal of this study was to characterize glutamate transporter function in astrocytes of the spinal cord dorsal horn in real time by recording synaptically evoked glutamate transporter currents. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were obtained from astrocytes in the spinal substantia gelatinosa (SG) area in spinal slices of young adult rats. Glutamate transporter currents were evoked in these cells by electrical stimulation at the spinal dorsal root entry zone in the presence of bicuculline, strychnine, DNQX and D-AP5. Transporter currents were abolished when synaptic transmission was blocked by TTX or Cd2+. Pharmacological studies identified two subtypes of glutamate transporters in spinal astrocytes, GLAST and GLT-1. Glutamate transporter currents were graded with stimulus intensity, reaching peak responses at 4 to 5 times activation threshold, but were reduced following low-frequency (0.1 – 1 Hz) repetitive stimulation. These results suggest that glutamate transporters of spinal astrocytes could be activated by synaptic activation, and recording glutamate transporter currents may provide a means of examining the real time physiological responses of glial cells in spinal sensory processing, sensitization, hyperalgesia and chronic pain.
Size discrimination in rat and mouse gastric emptying

Objectives To investigate the relationship between particle size and gastric emptying in rodents using radiolabeled insoluble polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microcapsules/beads. Methods PMMA microcapsules (50–500 µm) and beads (0.5–3 mm) loaded with technetium-99 m diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) were administered to ICR mice or Sprague Dawley (SD) rats by oral gavage. Gamma scintiscans were acquired initially following administration and then at hourly intervals to 4 hours. Results Scintiscans revealed that the smallest PMMA microcapsules (50–100 µm) or beads (0.5–1 mm) were impeded in the stomach and emptied slower than large particles in both rodent species. In mice, no significant difference in gastric emptying was found with microcapsules between 100 and 300 µm in diameter (p = 0.25) and particles more than 300 µm could not be administered. In rats, capsules containing 0.5–3 mm beads were stuck to the esophagus (up to 1 hour), this was a limitation of dosing beads of this size because they cannot be suspended in a liquid media for oral gavage purposes. Beads with diameters of 2–3 mm stayed in the stomach for up to 4 hours. Conclusions The cut-off emptying size in ICR mice could not be determined, due to the limitation of current available dosing methods. The cut-off emptying size in SD rats was between 1.5 and 2 mm. Therefore, particles with a diameter greater than 2 mm should not be used for gastric emptying studies of intact particles in SD rats, as their emptying is retarded in the stomach. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Market Integration and Investment Barriers in Emerging Equity Markets

This article develops a return-based measure of market integration for nineteen emerging equity markets. It then examines the relation between that measure, other return characteristics, and broadly defined investment barriers. Although the analysis is exploratory, some clear conclusions emerge. First, global factors account for a small fraction of the time variation in expected returns in most markets, and global predictability has declined over time. Second, the emerging markets exhibit differing degrees of market integration with the US market, and the differences are not necessarily associated with direct barriers to investment. Third, the most important de facto barriers to global equity-market integration are poor credit ratings, high and variable inflation, exchange rate controls, the lack of a high-quality regulatory and accounting framework, the lack of sufficient country funds or cross-listed securities, and the limited size of some stock markets.
Single-particle proton states in Cu63

Energy spectra and angular distributions for the /sup 62/Ni(/sup 3/He,d)/ sup 63/Cu reaction were obtained over the range from 13 to 39 deg at an incidert energy of 22 Mev. The results reveal large single-particle contributions of the four proton states 1/2/sup -/, 3/2/sup -/, 5/2/sup -/, and 7/2/sup -/ in qualitative agr eement with a unified-model calculation. The results disagree with the assignment of 3/2/sup -/ for the spin and parity of the fourth excited state but are consistent with the prediction of 5/2/sup -/. (C.E.S.)
Group Size and Nest Spacing affect Buggy Creek Virus (Togaviridae: Alphavirus) Infection in Nestling House Sparrows

The transmission of parasites and pathogens among vertebrates often depends on host population size, host species diversity, and the extent of crowding among potential hosts, but little is known about how these variables apply to most vector-borne pathogens such as the arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses). Buggy Creek virus (BCRV; Togaviridae: Alphavirus) is an RNA arbovirus transmitted by the swallow bug (Oeciacus vicarius) to the cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) and the introduced house sparrow (Passer domesticus) that has recently invaded swallow nesting colonies. The virus has little impact on cliff swallows, but house sparrows are seriously affected by BCRV. For house sparrows occupying swallow nesting colonies in western Nebraska, USA, the prevalence of BCRV in nestling sparrows increased with sparrow colony size at a site but decreased with the number of cliff swallows present. If one nestling in a nest was infected with the virus, there was a greater likelihood that one or more of its nest-mates would also be infected than nestlings chosen at random. The closer a nest was to another nest containing infected nestlings, the greater the likelihood that some of the nestlings in the focal nest would be BCRV-positive. These results illustrate that BCRV represents a cost of coloniality for a vertebrate host (the house sparrow), perhaps the first such demonstration for an arbovirus, and that virus infection is spatially clustered within nests and within colonies. The decreased incidence of BCRV in sparrows as cliff swallows at a site increased reflects the “dilution effect,” in which virus transmission is reduced when a vector switches to feeding on a less competent vertebrate host.
Rapid purification of human peripheral blood monocytes by centrifugation through Ficoll-Hypaque and Sepracell-MN

We have developed a rapid and simple method for isolating human peripheral blood monocytes in suspension. The procedure combines two separation media and involves isolation of the mononuclear cells by centrifugation through Ficoll-Hypaque followed by purification of the monocytes using Sepracell-MN, a colloidal silica-based medium. The final cell population contained approximately 90% monocytes with good functional ability. The contaminating cells were lymphocytes. Viability was always greater than or equal to 99% with 90% recovery of the monocytes from the mononuclear cells.
Compromise strategies for action selection

Among the many properties suggested for action-selection mechanisms, a prominent one is the ability to select compromise actions, i.e. actions that are not the best to satisfy any active goal in isolation, but rather compromise between multiple goals. This paper briefly reviews the history of compromise behaviour and presents experimental analyses of it in an attempt to determine how much compromise behaviour aids an agent. It concludes that optimal compromise behaviour has a surprisingly small benefit over non-compromise behaviour in the experiments performed, and presents some reasons why this may be true and hypothesizes cases where compromise behaviour is truly useful. In particular, it hypothesizes that a crucial factor is the level at which an action is taken (low-level actions are specific, such as ‘move left leg’; high-level actions are vague, such as ‘forage for food’). This paper hypothesizes that compromise behaviour is more beneficial for high- than low-level actions.
Breaking the computational barrier: a divide-conquer and aggregate based approach for Alu insertion site characterisation.

Insertion site characterisation of Alu elements is an important problem in primate-specific bioinformatics research. Key characteristics of this challenging problem include: data are not in the pre-defined feature vectors for predictive model construction; without any prior knowledge, can we discover the general patterns that could exist and also make biological insights?; how to obtain the compact yet discriminative patterns given a search space of 4200? This paper provides an integrated algorithmic framework for fulfilling the above mining tasks. Compared to the benchmark biological study, our results provide a further refined analysis of the patterns involved in Alu insertion. In particular, we acquire a 200nt predictive profile around the primary insertion site which not only contains the widely accepted consensus, but also suggests a longer pattern (T)7AA[G'A]AATAA. This pattern provides more insight into the favourable sequence variations allowed for preferred binding and cleavage by the L1 ORF2 endonuclease. The proposed method is general enough that can be also applied to other sequence detection problems, such as microRNA target prediction.
Investigating the connection between complexity of isolated trajectories and Lagrangian coherent structures

Abstract. It is argued that the complexity of fluid particle trajectories provides the basis for a new method, referred to as the Complexity Method (CM), for estimation of Lagrangian coherent structures in aperiodic flows that are measured over finite time intervals. The basic principles of the CM are explained and the CM is tested in a variety of examples, both idealized and realistic, and in different reference frames. Two measures of complexity are explored in detail: the correlation dimension of trajectory, and a new measure – the ergodicity defect. Both measures yield structures that strongly resemble Lagrangian coherent structures in all of the examples considered. Since the CM uses properties of individual trajectories, and not separation rates between closely spaced trajectories, it may have advantages for the analysis of ocean float and drifter data sets in which trajectories are typically widely and non-uniformly spaced.
Nanoplasmonic Resonance Energy Transfer Spectroscopic pH Imaging

Nano plasmonic resonance energy transfer (PRET) spectroscopy is a new sensing technique to study the electronic energy transfer between plasmonic nanoparticles and adsorbed biological/chemical molecules. PRET spectroscopy has been used to detect complex biomolecular activities including conformational change, electron transfer and protein interactions with ultrahigh sensitivity and specificity. Here we demonstrate in vitro and intracellular imaging of pH values using PRET spectroscopy. Potentially submicron spatial resolution and decimal pH sensitivity can be achieved in PRET pH imaging.
Input and volume distributions for continuous cultures

An analysis is presented of the effects on substrate utilization and cell growth of varying the volume distribution of and the input distribution to a model continuous-culture unit consisting of three stirred tanks. The model is used to establish the best volume and input distributions and to indicate the effects of mixing imperfections. The Michaelis-Menten rate expression is utilized, including an endogenous respiration term, and results are presented on unique triaxial charts. Of the distributions considered, maximum substrate utilization is achieved with 60% of the total volume in the first stage, 20% in the second stage, and 20% in the third stage and with all of the input to the first stage. At a constant fractional input to the third stage; variation in the ratio of inputs to the first and second stages has virtually no effect, except in the case that a critical dilution is exceeded. At a constant input ratio to the first two stages, an increase in the fractional input to the third stage always decreases efficiency. Three stages, regardless of relative size, are always better than one. Except for endogenous respiration effects, cell growth parallels substrate utilization.
Paradigmatic Assumptions of Disciplinary Research on Gender Disparities: The Case of Occupational Sex Segregation

Lips (2012) deconstructs the standard methodological approaches to understanding the gender wage gap and shows that issues of gender pervade nearly every assumption of these models. In this commentary, we call attention to paradigmatic assumptions and theoretical approaches of the three most relevant social-science disciplines that deal with a parallel issue—occupational sex segregation—to demonstrate that scientific progress is facilitated by transparency in our disciplinary approaches to addressing gender disparities. Accordingly, the neoclassical economic approach to occupational sex segregation posits, among other things, self-selection in the development of human capital, such as choice of college major, as well as women’s tradeoffs in marriage vs. work-related capital as the drivers of occupational disparities. Progressive sociological approaches, such as feminist and Marxist sociology eschew these “supply-side” explanations in favor of examining “demand-side” explanations, particularly social forces that shape both employers’ beliefs about desirable worker attributes as well as the institutional structures that are created to support these views. Psychological approaches tend to address both supply-side (e.g., vocational preferences) and demand-side (e.g., stereotypes and bias) explanations. The aim of this commentary is to elucidate the paradigmatic approaches that each of the major social-science disciplines takes in understanding gender inequity issues in order to advance integrated research on these important social topics.
Detection and quantitation of parvovirus B19

Parvovirus B19, initially discovered in the serum of an asymptomatic blood donor (coded 19 in panel B) as a cause of false-positive results in assays for the detection of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (Cossart et al., 1975), is a small non-enveloped virus with a linear single stranded DNA genome. Infection with parvovirus B19 is common, and symptoms range from completely asymptomatic infection to serious and potentially fatal conditions in a minority of the population. In children, infection commonly manifests as fifth disease or erythema infectiosum, in adults, especially women, as polyarthropathy, in individuals with increased red cell turnover as transient aplastic crisis, in immunosuppressed patients as pure red cell aplasia, and during pregnancy as hydrops fetalis or intrauterine death (Young and Brown, 2004). Parvovirus B19 can only be cultured with difficulty in the laboratory: B19 can be grown in late erythroid progenitor cells from bone marrow (Mortimer et al., 1983), peripheral blood or fetal liver and in rare erythro-megakaryoblastoid cell lines (Shimomura et al., 1992; Miyagawa et al., 1999), but none of these are practical for routine laboratory diagnosis. Similarly, although ELISAand hemagglutination-based assays are being developed to detect viral antigen this is generally in the context of blood screening (Wakamatsu et al., 1999). For diagnostic purposes B19 virus is usually detected by detection of viral DNA by direct hybridization or polymerase chain reaction amplification. Direct hybridization, usually as a slotblot or dotblot format, generally employs an almost full-length viral DNA probe labeled with 32P, digoxigenin or biotin, to bind to DNA in clinical specimens (Anderson et al., 1985; Mori et al., 1989). Results of the hybridization assay are readily quantifiable. In addition the assay has a detection limit of ∼105 genome copies/mL, and will detect all known variants of B19, including V9, A6 (Wong et al., 2003), and even
Whole-Cell Plasticity in Cocaine Withdrawal: Reduced Sodium Currents in Nucleus Accumbens Neurons

The nucleus accumbens is a forebrain region that mediates cocaine self-administration and withdrawal effects in animal models of cocaine dependence. Considerable evidence suggests an important role of dopamine D1 receptors in these effects. Using a combination of current-clamp recordings in brain slices and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from freshly dissociated neurons, we found that nucleus accumbens neurons are less excitable in cocaine withdrawn rats because of a novel form of plasticity: reduced whole-cell sodium currents. Three days after discontinuation of repeated cocaine injections, nucleus accumbens neurons recorded in brain slices were less responsive to depolarizing current injections, had higher action potential thresholds, and had lower spike amplitudes. Freshly dissociated nucleus accumbens neurons from cocaine-pretreated rats exhibited diminished sodium current density and a depolarizing shift in the voltage-dependence of sodium channel activation. These effects appear to be related to enhanced basal phosphorylation of sodium channels because of increased transmission through the dopamine D1 receptor/cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathway. The effects of repeated cocaine administration were not mimicked by repeated injections of the local anesthetic lidocaine and were not observed in neurons within the motor cortex, indicating that they did not result from local anesthetic actions of cocaine. Because nucleus accumbens neurons are normally recruited to coordinate response patterns of movement and affect, the decreased excitability during cocaine withdrawal may be related to symptoms such as anergia, anhedonia, and depression.
Ketamine-based procedural sedation and analgesia for botulinum toxin A injections in children with cerebral palsy.

Abstract Introduction Adequate procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) is essential to reduce pain and distress for children undergoing intramuscular botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) injections. This study describes our institution's experience with ketamine-based PSA in terms of safety and efficacy in children with cerebral palsy receiving BoNT-A injections. Material and methods This is an analysis of ketamine-based PSA for children undergoing BoNT-A injections between January 2000 and October 2014. All patients received PSA according to our institution's sedation protocol. From 2000 to 2012, intravenous ketamine and midazolam PSA was administered. From 2013 onwards, intravenous ketamine was used as a sole agent for PSA. Results A total of 152 BoNT-A procedures were performed successfully on 87 children. The median age of the children was 5 years 5 months with 9 children younger than 36 months. Ten procedures (6.6%) were associated with acute transient self-limiting side effects: Four developed rashes, three had nausea and vomiting, one child had limb tremors and another child complained of mild headache. One child reported nightmares on the evening of the procedure during the two-week post-procedure review. No child experienced serious adverse events. Conclusion Administration of ketamine-based PSA for intramuscular BoNT-A procedures in children can be both safe and efficacious.
μ‐Chlorobis(cyclopentadienyl)(dimethylaluminum)‐μ‐methylenetitanium

[67719-69-1] C13H18AlClTi (MW 284.60) InChI = 1S/2C5H5.2CH3.CH2.Al.ClH.Ti/c2*1-2-4-5-3-1;;;;;;/h2*1-5H;2*1H3;1H2;;1H;/q;;;;;;;+1/p-1 InChIKey = QEJAQNUJXFLWSP-UHFFFAOYSA-M (methylenating agent for alkenation of carbonyl compounds,2-4 particularly esters, ketones, and aldehydes; of low basicity and functions without epimerization at α-chiral centers) Alternate Name: Tebbe reagent. Physical Data: red solid. Solubility: highly sol toluene, benzene, or dichloromethane; will dissolve in THF at low temperature (but not stable for prolonged periods in ethereal solvents). Nearly insol saturated hydrocarbons. Form Supplied in: may be purchased as the pure solid or prepared from titanocene dichloride and trimethylaluminum. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the dry solid is air-sensitive and may be pyrophoric in air, especially when impure; it must be handled under an atmosphere of nitrogen or argon. The reagent is most conveniently stored and handled as a toluene solution; in this form the reagent is somewhat pyrophoric in air and must be handled using syringe and cannula techniques as practiced when using Grignard or alkyllithium solutions.
Putting the Practice Into Theory

Modern criminal procedure, or especially at the Supreme Court level, rests upon a variety of untested regulatory assumptions about the ways in which the police do and ought to interact with the public. These regulatory assumptions depend upon underlying models of police administration that often determine the outcome of cases. Nonetheless, these assumptions are fictional, meaning that they lack any basis in descriptive criminology or social science. Yet they control the development of judicial and academic understandings of what policing is and ought to be about in our modern, fragmented, pluralist democracy. My prescription, at least for the academy, is that we should start examining the criminological evidence to determine whether and how it might support or undermine the Court’s social science speculations. Constitutional law has always been somewhat marginal in the regulatory universe. Executive branch officials control most of what happens in the criminal justice system. They act according to departmental policies or institutional practices. Though they might have one eye on the courts and the Constitution, they are more concerned with norms of professional ethics or institutional organization. Attending to regulation tilts criminal procedure off its court-centered axis and reminds us just how ineffective we legal scholars may be in setting its terms. My goal is to trace some of the ways in which criminal procedure doctrine engages with criminology, particularly in its more hermeneutic form. As a starting point, I consider Robert Weisberg’s and David Sklansky’s very different but deeply thoughtful discussions of the relation between criminal procedure, on the one hand, and criminology and social science, more generally, on the other.
The Psychic Unity of Mankind: The Origins of Anthropology, the Anti-slavery Movement, Cultural Relativism and Man’s “Unique” Nature

The origins of Anthropology are varied and, in much of the literature of the behavioral sciences, these origins are confused with colonialism. The evolution of the societies of man in Europe in the centuries after European contact with the Americas and the development of the anti-slavery movement can be seen as the foundations on which anthropology as a science and a scholarly discipline arose. The aims and interests of Anthropology as an applied science can best be under in this context.