cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A aura da ópera na época da sua queda anunciada

This article focuses on three recent operatic objects: Andrea Andermann’s live films of Tosca, La Traviata, and Rigoletto (released in a DVD/Blu-ray box set in 2015); Tom Volf ’s “Maria by Callas” project (on-going since 2017); and the live broadcasts from ope- ra houses to movie theaters, particularly those from the Metropolitan Opera House and the Royal Opera House (since 2006 and 2008, respectively). Based on their examination, I discuss the paradox of the persistence of aura within today’s increasingly mediatized cultural landscape. This paradox takes on the form of the coexistence between an enthu- siasm for technological reproduction and remediation, and a fascination with the values of originality, authenticity, and liveliness. How this paradox unfolds in the case of opera and to what extent it can be overcome are the questions orienting this essay.
Gender and Physical Health

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by G. Weidner, volume 9, pp. 5904–5907, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
Developing interdisciplinary thinking in a food and nutritional security, hunger, and sustainability graduate course

ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this study was to describe faculty and graduate students’ motivation and learning experiences in a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary graduate course focused on ...
Machine Learning for Precipitation Nowcasting from Radar Images

High-resolution nowcasting is an essential tool needed for effective adaptation to climate change, particularly for extreme weather. As Deep Learning (DL) techniques have shown dramatic promise in many domains, including the geosciences, we present an application of DL to the problem of precipitation nowcasting, i.e., high-resolution (1 km x 1 km) short-term (1 hour) predictions of precipitation. We treat forecasting as an image-to-image translation problem and leverage the power of the ubiquitous UNET convolutional neural network. We find this performs favorably when compared to three commonly used models: optical flow, persistence and NOAA's numerical one-hour HRRR nowcasting prediction.
Deal Protection Devices

In mergers and acquisitions transactions, a buyer and a seller will often agree to contractual mechanisms (deal protection devices) to deter third parties from jumping the deal and to compensate a disappointed buyer. This paper analyzes various deal protection devices, with a focus on two most commonly used mechanisms: target termination fees and match rights. A match right gives the buyer a right to “match” a third party’s offer so as to prevent the third party from snatching the target away, while a termination fee compensates the buyer when a third party acquires the target. Such mechanisms raise a number of important corporate and contract law questions. How effective are they in preventing third parties from competing for the target? Do they steer the target to be sold to the buyer who values the target less? Are the devices harmful to the target shareholders? To what extent can the negotiated deal price represent the target’s “fair value” when such devices reduce or eliminate the competition? The paper attempts to answer these questions with the help of auction theory. The paper shows, foremost, that these devices can actually increase the target and the buyer’s joint return and possibly the target’s stand-alone return. Termination fees and match rights function quite differently, however. While a larger termination fee reduces the target’s stand-alone return and can lead to allocative inefficiency, unlimited match right increases the target’s stand-alone return and promotes allocative efficiency. The paper argues that answering the corporate law questions ultimately turns on the question of how and why the target directors are utilizing the devices. If the devices are being deployed with the objective of maximizing the target shareholders’ return, not only can they be beneficial for the target shareholders, but their presence can also make the deal price a more reliable indicator of target’s fair value. With an improper objective, not only do the devices undermine target shareholders’ return, but the court also should not use the deal price as evidence of fair value. The paper also analyzes stock and asset lockups and examines deal protection devices through the lens of contract law.
Uncovering TAPS strategies of the tobacco industry at PoS in low- and middle-income countries: the case of Turkey.

BACKGROUND This study aims to uncover strategies executed by the tobacco industry against tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) bans at points of sale (PoS) in Turkey. METHODS The data are based on a field study conducted in the city of Izmir. There are 10 750 PoS in all of Izmir; the 6200 PoS in the 11 central districts were considered as potential subjects. Using a proportional sampling method (95% confidence interval, 5% margin of error), it was calculated that 384 PoS could adequately represent the whole. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with PoS administrators, using survey form consisting of 53 questions. Descriptive statistics methods have been used to analyze the data. RESULTS Of a total of 384 PoS visited; 96.4% featured at least one type of display/TAPS ban violation, 94.5% featured display settings creating brand dominance on display units, 76.7% received promotional payments and 14.8% received free tobacco products for featured display settings. Additionally, 29.2% of PoS had tobacco product displays visible from outside, 26.8% sold tobacco products on the counter, 24.7% featured advertising items on display units, 19.3% sold tobacco products as single stick and 11.7% had price tags with fonts larger than the legally fixed 20 pt. CONCLUSIONS An official institution specializing in tobacco control must be established to continually inspect the tobacco market. Tobacco products must stay hidden, in closed cupboards or under the counter, and communication between PoS and tobacco industry must be limited. In addition, tobacco products must be distributed by government institutions rather than the industry.
Regulatory T cells in skin injury: At the crossroads of tolerance and tissue repair

Skin injury is a highly inflammatory process that is carefully regulated to mitigate tissue damage and allow for proper barrier repair. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial coordinators of the immune response to injury in several organs. Here, we review the emerging role of Tregs in facilitating skin repair after injury. We focus on recently discovered interactions between lymphocytes and nonhematopoietic cells during wound healing and discuss how these interactions are regulated both by “classical” suppressive mechanisms of Tregs and by “nonclassical” reparative Treg functions.
Product attributes and digital innovation performance: the importance of country and firm level supporting environment

The emergence of digital technology has changed the structure and functions of products. Digitalised products are connectable with digital resources, reprogrammable for personal customisation, and upgradable for continuous improvement. Digital innovation (DI) not only makes industrial products capable of serving various customers' needs, but also brings great challenges to companies. In the literature, DI critical success factors remain uncovered, so do the environmental conditions that support DI. In this paper, we developed a theoretical model that identifies product attributes (e.g., product modularity, upgradability, usage frequency, and uniqueness) that have effects on product DI performance. Further, we elaborated the importance of establishing and selecting appropriate environment at country level (e.g., degree of uncertainty avoidance and degree of technology proficiency), and firm level (e.g., strategy, resources, and structure) for DI. Essentially, this study suggests that interaction effects of product attributes and supporting environments could significantly improve product DI performance.
Alcohol induces TGFβ1 via downregulation of miR-1946a in murine lung fibroblast

Exaggerated transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1) expression worsens fibroproliferation following bleomycin-induced lung injury in alcohol-fed mice. MicroRNA (miR)-1946a is predicted to bind to the TGFβ1 3' untranslated region (UTR), thereby inhibiting its transcription. We hypothesize that alcohol suppresses miR-1946a and induces TGFβ1. Primary murine lung fibroblasts (PLFs) were cultured ± alcohol, miR-1946a mimic or inhibitor, and TGFβ1 signaling inhibitors. miR-1946a was analyzed after alcohol treatment in vitro and in vivo. TGFβ1 expression and TGFβ1 3'UTR-luciferase activity was quantified. We showed that alcohol suppressed miR-1946a in the alcohol-fed mouse lungs and PLFs. MiR-1946a inhibitor increased TGFβ1 expression in the fibroblast. MiR-1946a mimic treatment suppressed TGFβ1 gene expression and TGFβ1 3'UTR activity. Overexpression of miR1946a inhibited alcohol-induced TGFβ1 gene and protein expression as well as alcohol-induced TGFβ1 and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) protein expression in PLFs. In conclusion, miR-1946a modulates TGFβ1 expression through direct interaction with TGFβ1 3'UTR. These findings identify a novel mechanism by which alcohol induces TGFβ1 in the lung.
Collateral Damage: Gun Violence-Induced STEMI.

Abstract A young man who presented with chest trauma from multiple gunshot wounds was found to have regional ST-segment elevations perioperatively. This case describes the rapid evaluation and clin...
Understanding Engagement in and Affective Experiences During Physical Activity: The Role of Meditation Interventions.

OBJECTIVE Meditation interventions promote an array of well-being outcomes. However, the way in which these interventions promote beneficial outcomes is less clear. Here, we expanded on prior work by examining the influence of mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation on a key health behavior: physical activity. METHODS To test our hypotheses, we drew upon two randomized intervention studies. In the first study, 171 adults (73.0% female) received 6 weeks of training in either mindfulness meditation or loving-kindness meditation, or were assigned to a control condition. In the second study, 124 adults (60.0% female) were assigned to a 6-week mindfulness or loving-kindness meditation group. RESULTS Study 1 demonstrated that individuals who received mindfulness training reported sustained levels of physical activity across the intervention period (Pre: mean [standard deviation], or M [SD] = 4.09 [2.07]; Post: M [SD] = 3.68 [2.00]; p = .054), whereas those in the control (Pre: M [SD] = 3.98 [2.25]; Post: M [SD] = 3.01 [2.07]; p < .001) and loving-kindness (Pre: M [SD] = 4.11 [2.26]; Post: M [SD] = 3.45 [1.96]; p < .001) conditions reported lower levels. Study 2 demonstrated those who received mindfulness training experienced increases in positive emotions during physical activity from preintervention to postintervention (Pre: M [SD] = 6.06 [2.51]; Post: M [SD] = 6.54 [2.43]; p = .001), whereas those trained in loving-kindness meditation experienced decreases in positive emotions during physical activity (Pre: M [SD] = 6.45 [2.35]; Post: M [SD] = 6.09 [2.46]; p = .040). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest mindfulness training (but not loving-kindness training) promotes sustained physical activity, and one plausible reason why this occurs is enhanced positive emotion during physical activity.
Resistance Training Does Not Decrease Placental Blood Flow During Valsalva Maneuver: A Novel Use of 3D Doppler Power Flow Ultrasonography.

Background:The Valsalva maneuver may increase maternal blood pressure and intra-abdominal pressure, resulting in decreased blood flow to the fetus during resistance training.Hypothesis:There is no ...
Supplemental Creatine Modified With Polyethylene Glycol Effectively Loads Skeletal Muscle With Lower Doses.

ABSTRACT Fry, AC, Parra, ME, and Cabarkapa, D. Supplemental creatine modified with polyethylene glycol effectively loads skeletal muscle with lower doses. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1256-1261, 2021-The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of skeletal muscle uptake of creatine monohydrate (Cr H2O) with that of creatine bound to polyethylene glycol (Cr PEG). Healthy men (X ± SE; age = 23.5 ± 1.0 years) were divided into control (Con, n = 9, 20 g·d-1 of Cr H2O) and experimental (Exp, n = 8, 10 g·d-1 of Cr PEG) groups. Blood samples and muscle biopsies were used to determine acute gastrointestinal absorption over 5 hours and muscle cellular uptake over 5 days. Both groups exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) elevated concentrations of muscle-free Cr (M·gdw-1; Con, pre = 23.0 ± 4.2, post = 39.2 ± 2.7; Exp pre = 22.1 ± 2.9, post = 33.6 ± 3.2), total Cr (M·gdw-1, Con pre = 94.7 ± 5.4, post = 114.8 ± 7.4; Exp pre = 92.6 ± 5.4, post = 106.6 ± 8.4), which were also elevated when these values were normalized for adenosine triphosphate using molar ratios. Circulatory uptake of Cr was significantly different between the groups, with blood concentrations (mg·dL-1) for the Con group peaking at 2 hours post-ingestion (25.99 ± 2.96), whereas the concentrations for the Exp group were lower and were still rising at 5 hours (4.05 ± 0.87). The integrated area under the curve for the 5-hour postingestion period was 7-fold greater for the Con group. Although total Cr ingested over the 5 days supplementation period was less for the Cr PEG group, skeletal muscle uptake of Cr PEG was similar to Cr H2O. Based on circulating Cr concentrations, it seems that Cr PEG is cleared more slowly from the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, lower dosages of Cr may be ingested while maintaining optimal loading kinetics.
Enantioselective Ruthenium-BINAP-Catalyzed Carbonyl Reductive Coupling of Alkoxyallenes: Convergent Construction of syn-sec,tert -Diols via ( Z )-σ-Allylmetal Intermediates.

The first catalytic enantioselective ruthenium-catalyzed carbonyl reductive couplings of allene pronucleophiles is described. Using an iodide-modified ruthenium-BINAP-catalyst and O-benzhydryl alkoxyallene 1a, carbonyl (α-alkoxy)allylation occurs from the alcohol or aldehyde oxidation level to form enantiomerically enriched syn-sec,tert-diols. Internal chelation directs intervention of (Z)-σ-alkoxyallylruthenium isomers, which engage in stereospecific carbonyl addition.
Improving sleep medicine education among health professions trainees.

Study Objectives: Despite increasing recognition of its importance, sleep medicine education remains limited during medical training. We sought to assess the baseline knowledge of a group of health...
Perceived social attributes of college students with ideal versus non-ideal dental esthetics judged by peers.

PERCEIVED SOCIAL ATTRIBUTES OF COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH IDEAL VERSUS NON-IDEAL DENTAL ESTHETICS JUDGED BY PEERS By Dr. David Louis Jones, D.D.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012. Major Director: Steven J. Lindauer, D.M.D., M.D.Sc. Professor and Chair, Department of Orthodontics The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of dentofacial appearance on perceived social attributes of college-aged adult males and females as judged by their peers. Specifically, the objective was to determine if ideal smile esthetics positively influenced this age group’s perception of opposite-sex peers based on ratings of the following psychosocial characteristics: attractiveness, desire to spend time with, desire to date, and desire for a long-term relationship. Evaluators were shown digital photographs of subjects with ideal and nonideal smiles and asked to rate those 4 attributes using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The subjects’ photographs with ideal smile esthetics were consistently rated higher on average than the same subjects’ photographs with nonideal smile esthetics. The differences in ratings between ideal and nonideal smile images were significant for all 4 psychosocial judgments (P <.0001). These differences ranged in magnitude depending on the sex and race of the evaluator and subject.
Rotifer distributions in the coastal waters of the northeast Pacific Ocean

Absolute abundance of rotifers was assessed from 5 to 80 km across the continental shelf off of the southern Oregon coast (U.S.A.) in the northeast Pacific Ocean. A total of 97 vertically stratified water samples were collected at 49 stations from two depths, 3 and 30 m. Coastal upwelling conditions were indicated, with decreased temperature, increased salinity and higher chlorophyll-a concentrations closer to shore. Two rotifer genera, Synchaeta and Trichocerca occurred within 16 km of shore with densities increasing closer to shore. Synchaeta reached densities of 64 inds 1−1 while Trichocerca was sparse (< l inds. 1−1). Rotifers were most abundant at 3 m and the densest aggregations appear to be associated with estuary outlets, suggesting that estuaries may be important in exporting rotifers to nearshore coastal waters.
The recovery of blocked memories in repeated recall tests

There is continued controversy over the possibility of blocked and subsequently recovered accurate memories. Memory blocking produced by a retrieval biasing procedure followed by recovery through repeated testing was demonstrated in two experiments. Predictions derived from the retrieval bias explanation and from the level of cumulative recall (LOCR) concerning hypermnesia for blocked material were tested. Expt 1 disconfirmed the retrieval bias hypothesis that the blocked material would remain blocked. However, there was no accelerated recovery despite the lower rate of recall for the bias group compared to the control group as predicted based on LOCR. Expt 2 replicated the Expt 1 findings and used metamemory tasks to further explore the recovery process. The data led the authors to conclude that accurate recovery of memory with corresponding high confidence is possible through repeated testing provided suggestive questioning and misinformation are not presented.
Implementation of an Evidence‐Based Practice Project to Increase Hospital‐Based Compliance Related to Cervical Cancer Screening

Poster Presentation Objective To improve the knowledge of the patient service coordinators (PSCs) to increase compliance related to cervical cancer screening. Design Descriptive. Sample All patient service coordinators who conduct registration and screening when patients are admitted to the academic medical center. Methods Effectiveness of the education was measured by three assessments: a pre‐ and postknowledge survey of the patient service coordinator was used to measure knowledge about cervical cancer, the screening process, and the State of Maryland cervical cancer screening mandate; a calculation of screening rates was used to compare the number of women screened to the number of women admitted; and an assessment of the completeness of each screening form. Implementation Strategies Educational intervention that included cervical cancer screening, risk factors for cervical cancer, Maryland cervical cancer screening mandate, cervical cancer symptoms, and case studies of women screened within the program. Results A two‐tailed paired samples t test indicated that the PSCs scored higher on the postsurvey ( m ‐7.68, s ‐2.52) than the presurvey ( m ‐3.68, s ‐1.77), t (32) = 8.949, p ≤ .0.5. A chi‐squared test was used to compare categorical variables. During the 4 weeks before the educational intervention, 34% (543 of 1602) of eligible women were screened; 51% (279/543) of screening forms were completed. For the 4 weeks after the educational intervention, 54% ( n = 735 of 1,373) of eligible women were screened; 89% (656/735) of screening forms were completed. Both tests were found to be significant p Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice These findings suggest that an educational intervention for registration staff can increase cervical cancer screening compliance and positively improve the ability of staff to screen inpatient women.
Cross-Country and Cross-Sector Analysis of Transparency of Monetary and Financial Policies

In this paper we construct indices of transparency of monetary and financial policies, based on self-evaluations carried out by 135 IMF member countries in 1999, and use them to identify transparency patterns across different policies and country groups. We find that across all countries, transparency is highest in the formulation and conduct of monetary policy and lowest in insurance supervision and deposit-insurance oversight. Across country groups having similar political/economic characteristics, the average degree of transparency is highest in advanced countries and lowest in developing ones for both monetary policy and those financial policies for which there are differences between country group means.
Design and measurement of the sextupole magnet for the APS storage ring

A prototype sextupole magnet has been designed, constructed, and measured for the storage ring of the Advanced Photon Source. The design approaches very closely to 120/spl deg/ rotation symmetry, in order to minimize all forbidden multipole components. The core is made of three identical stacks of laminations, each lamination consisting of two poles and the return yoke joining them. The antechamber of the thick aluminum vacuum chamber fits between two neighboring stacks. Computations and measurements of the sextupole strength B and multipole field components, both in the central region and integrated in the beam direction, show that the magnet meets the requirements for positron beam dynamics. >
Minimum square-deviation tomographic reconstruction from few projections

The problem of tomographic reconstruction from a few discrete projections is addressed. When the projection data are discrete and few in number, the image formed by the convolution back-projection algorithm may not be consistent with the observed projections and is known to exhibit artifacts. Hence, the problem formulated here is one of finding an image that is closest to a nominal and is consistent with the projection data and other convex constraints such as positivity. The measure of closeness used is a Hilbert space norm, typically a weighted sum/integral of squares, with weights used to reflect expected deviation from the nominal in different regions. In the absence of constraints, this approach leads to a direct, noniterative algorithm (based on a simple matrix-vector computation) for construction of the image. When additional convex constraints such as positivity and upper-bounds need to be enforced on the reconstructed image to improve resolution, a quadratically convergent Newton algorithm is suggested. >
Oxidation of gasoline oxygenates by closely related non-haem-iron alkane hydroxylases in Pseudomonas mendocina KR1 and other n-octane-utilizing Pseudomonas strains

Pseudomonas mendocina KR1 oxidizes the gasoline oxygenate methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) to tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) during growth on C5 -C8 n-alkanes. We have further explored oxidation of ether oxygenates by this strain to help identify the enzyme that catalyses these reactions. High levels of MTBE-oxidizing activity occurred in resting cells grown on C5 -C8 n-alkanes. Lower activities occurred in cells grown on longer-chain n-alkanes (C9 -C11 ) and 1°-alcohols (C5 -C10 ). N-octane-grown cells also oxidized tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME) to tertiary amyl alcohol (TAA), but did not oxidize ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE), TBA or TAA. A 39 kDa polypeptide in whole cell extracts of n-octane-grown cells strongly cross-reacted with an anti-AlkB polyclonal antiserum in an SDS-PAGE/immunoblot. This polypeptide was absent or less abundant in cells grown on dextrose, dextrose plus dicyclopropylketone or 1-octanol. N-octane-grown cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains KSLA-473 and ATCC 17423 oxidized MTBE and TAME but not ETBE. N-hexadecane-grown cells of these strains and strain PAO1 did not oxidize any of the oxygenates tested. Our results indicate ether oxygenate-degrading activity in alkane-utilizing pseudomonads is consistently observed with close homologues of the GPo1 non-haem-iron alkane hydroxylases but is otherwise not a consistent catalytic feature of these diverse enzymes.
Failure to thrive

We are privileged to be able to present this article to our readers. The author had sent us the manuscript and when we reviewed it we felt that the information was textbook in nature and very curre...
Decision Analysis and Simulation Modeling for Evaluating Diagnostic Tests on the Basis of Patient Outcomes

This is the 21st article in the series designed by the American College of Radiology (ACR), the Canadian Association of Radiologists, and the American Journal of Roentgenology. The series, which will ultimately comprise 22 articles, is designed to progressively educate radiologists in the methodologies of rigorous clinical research, from the most basic principles to a level of considerable sophistication. The articles are intended to complement interactive software that permits the user to work with what he or she has learned, which is available on the ACR Web site (www.acr.org).
Thermal aspects of magneto‐optical recording

We discuss the influence of thermal response on the magneto‐optic readout performance of optically similar but thermally different quadrilayer media, using newly developed computational techniques for examining laser‐induced heat flow in moving multilayer media. We first emphasize the importance of time scale for differentiating the write and read processes. We then show that the optimum design is a function of the medium velocity and available laser power for writing and is not normally one that provides maximum signal‐to‐noise ratio in the limit that laser heating during readout can be ignored. Finally, we describe a systematic approach to the selection of the best quadrilayer design for a given set of system conditions.
Applied of acoustics to the assessment of the pacific hake population in port susan, Washington, 1969-1973

Acoustic surveys of the spawning population of Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) in Port Susan, Washington have been conducted annually since 1969. Analog echo voltage and voltage-squared integrators were used in conjunction with 38-kHz echo sounders for the 1969 and 1970 surveys. In 1971 a digital echo integration system was developed and applied to the surveys in conjunction with a 105-kHz echo sounder. Surveys were expanded in 1972 to the areas adjacent to Port Susan to evaluate the importance of the spawning behavior and timing in the assessment of the stock size. Surveys in 1972 and 1973 used the digital system in conjunction with both 38-kHz and 105-kHz echo sounders. The acoustic surveys, supported by data from net catches, indicate considerable variation in the hake population during the five years.
Investigations of Koutango Virus Infectivity and Dissemination Dynamics in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

Aedes aegypti has already been implicated in the emergence of dengue and chikungunya viruses in the southern US. Vector competence is the ability of a mosquito species to support transmission of an arbovirus, which is bounded by its ability to support replication and dissemination of the virus through the mosquito body to the salivary glands to be expectorated in the saliva at the time of feeding on a vertebrate host. Here, we investigate the vector competence of A. aegypti for the arbovirus koutango by orally challenging mosquitoes with two titers of virus. We calculated the effective vector competence, a cumulative measure of transmission capability weighted by mosquito survival, and determined that A. aegypti was competent at the higher dose only. We conclude that further investigation is needed to determine the infectiousness of vertebrate hosts to fully assess the emergence potential of this virus in areas rich in A. aegypti.
Improving propylene/propane separation performance of Zeolitic-Imidazolate framework ZIF-8 Membranes

Abstract Zeolitic-imidazolate framework ZIF-8 has shown great potential for high resolution separation of propylene/propane mixtures based on the size exclusion principle. Recently, we have successfully prepared highly propylene-permselective ZIF-8 membranes by developing a counter diffusion-based in situ method. As a follow-up study, here, we attempted to further improve the separation performance of ZIF-8 membranes prepared by the counter-diffusion method by controlling membrane microstructures via manipulating important synthesis variables as well as activation processes. Important synthesis variables investigated include the sodium formate to ligand ratios, the nature of zinc salts. With a sodium formate to ligand ratio of 0.12 and a mixture of zinc nitrate and zinc chloride, we have successfully synthesized ZIF-8 membranes with much improved propylene/propane separation performances with the separation factor of ~70 and the propylene permeance of ~268×10 −10 mol/m 2 s Pa. Furthermore, solvothermal activation processes were found to be effective in significantly increasing the propylene permeance while maintaining decent propylene/propane separation factors.
Stability of mercurated DNA during reassociation and S1 nuclease digestion experiments.

Abstract The stability of covalently mercurated DNAs during DNA:DNA reassociation, heteroduplex recovery on sulfhydryl-Sepharose, and S 1 nuclease digestion under a variety of solvent and temperature conditions is described. The nonspecific loss of 203 Hg from mercurated DNA can be minimized by use of aqueous formamide solvents in reassociation experiments and by minimizing exposure to sulfhydryl reagents and temperatures above 35°C. Single-stranded DNA is shown to be more sensitive to demercuration than is native, duplex DNA.
Proximate mechanisms of age polyethism in the honey bee, Apis mellifera L.

Workers in most insect societies exhibit a division of labor known as age polyethism, so named because workers tend to perform different tasks at different times in their lives. The most common explanation for this phenomenon involves a weak causal link between a worker's age and its occupation. However, available estimates of age effects are generally confounded with other sources of variability. Further, there is considerable variation in the age at which each task is performed. Consequently, the role of age in division of labor remains unresolved. An alternative model, christened 'foraging-for-work', explains age polyethism without a causal link between age and occupation. The specific algorithm, however, is too restrictive to apply in many task situations, and it is inconsistent with existing data on how workers actually locate and select tasks in certain contexts. Therefore, it cannot serve as a general model for task location/selection or for age polyethism. The model's conceptual basis, however, that an age-neutral mechanism can generate age polyethism, is an important contribution that demands further study. The current dialogue over proximate mechanisms of age polyethism has helped to clarify the pattern of behavioral ontogeny in honey bees. A conservative interpretation of existing data is that behavioral ontogeny is characterized by a nest phase followed by a foraging phase. The timing of the transition between these phases is determined more by the environment and physiological processes than by age. Whether nest tasks also follow a necessary sequence is less certain and requires further study.
Cytokine Antagonism Reduces Pain and Modulates Spinal Astrocytic Reactivity After Cervical Nerve Root Compression

Relationships between nerve root compression, behavioral sensitivity, spinal cytokines, and glial reactivity are not fully defined for painful cervical nerve root compression. Spinal cytokines were quantified after mechanical root compression (10gf), root exposure to inflammatory chromic gut material (chr), the combination of both insults together (10gf + chr) or sham. TNFα and IL-1β significantly increased at 1 h (p < 0.029). IL-1α was significantly increased over normal, sham and chr at 1 h following 10gf and over normal and sham after 10gf + chr (p < 0.048). By day 1, only IL-1β after 10gf remained elevated over normal (p = 0.038). Accordingly, the soluble TNF receptor-1 (sTNFR1) and the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) were separately administered at early time points after each injury. With sTNFR1, behavioral sensitivity was significantly decreased for 7 days after both 10gf and 10gf + chr (p < 0.005). Treatment with IL-1ra significantly reduced sensitivity for 10gf + chr (p < 0.034) but not for 10gf. Sensitivity remained significantly elevated over sham at all time points (p < 0.044). Spinal astrocytic reactivity significantly decreased for both treatments after 10gf (p < 0.002); but, only IL-1ra following 10gf + chr significantly reduced astrocytic reactivity (p < 0.001). Early increases in spinal TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-1α may induce pain, affect spinal astrocytic responses, and appear to have differential effects in mediating the behavioral hypersensitivity produced by different types of painful cervical radicular injuries.
Worse-than-usual visual fields measured in retinitis pigmentosa related to episodically decreased general health.

Background/aims We examined whether retinitis pigmentosa (RP) subjects’ worse-than-usual vision measures were related to episodic changes in psychosocial factors and/or general health. Methods In a prospective, cohort study, 37 RP subjects self-administered personal computer (PC)-based visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS) and visual field (VF) tests at home twice a week, for 16 sessions in 2–3 months. Subjects rated their general health prior to each vision test session, and completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedules, and Epworth and Stanford Sleepiness Scales immediately after each session. Results Nine subjects with reduced mean VA >0.5 log minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) on average had statistically significant 26% more sessions with measured deviations ≥0.1 logMAR from their mean (95% CI 20% to 32%; p Conclusions Measured episodic VF reductions were more common in advanced RP and related to decreased general health at a session, which should be considered during clinical examinations and trials when determining true changes in vision. We did not find evidence that fluctuations in psychosocial factors were significantly correlated with vision reductions across subjects.
Symptoms of mirex, dieldrin, and DDT poisoning in the field cricket, Gryllus pennsylvanicus burmeister, and effect on activity of the central nerve cord

Abstract In the field cricket, Gryllus pennsylvanicus, the characteristic feature of mirex poisoning was the long latent period of at least 72 hr followed by hyperactivity, ataxia, and convulsions and paralysis. Dieldrin poisoning showed a short latent period followed directly by ataxia and convulsions and paralysis. The stages of DDT poisoning were locomotor instability, ataxia and convulsions and paralysis followed by death. Increased spontaneous activity of the central nerve cord in the initial stages of poisoning was characteristic for all three insecticides. DDT poisoned crickets showed DDT-type trains or groups of spikes in the central nerve cord during ataxia and early convulsions, but no synaptic after-discharges were observed at any stage of poisoning. Dieldrin and mirex poisoned crickets did not show DDT-type trains but a prolonged synaptic after-discharge was evident in the early stages of poisoning. In mirex poisoned crickets the increased spontaneous activity and the synaptic after-discharge was more acute than for dieldrin.
Swimming Mode Inferred from Skeletal Proportions in the Fossil Pinnipeds Enaliarctos and Allodesmus (Mammalia, Carnivora)

Swimming modes are crucial for understanding evolutionary transitions from land to sea, because locomotion affects many aspects of an animal’s life. The modern pinniped families Otariidae (fur seals and sea lions), Phocidae (true seals), and Odobenidae (walruses) are thought to share a common origin, but each differs in its primary mode of aquatic locomotion. Previous studies of locomotor evolution in pinnipeds suggested: (1) forelimb swimming was ancestral; (2) hind limb swimming evolved once at the base of the clade including Phocidae, Odobenidae, and the extinct Desmatophocidae; and (3) reversal to forelimb swimming occurred in the odobenid subfamily Dusignathinae. The oldest and most basal pinnipedimorph Enaliarctos mealsi has been portrayed as a forelimb swimmer, and the desmatophocid Allodesmus kelloggi has been portrayed as a hind limb swimmer. These interpretations have been questioned by others and are tested here. Principal components analysis of trunk and limb measurements from 58 modern semiaquatic mammals demonstrates that Enaliarctos is most similar in skeletal proportions to hind limb-dominated swimmers, whereas Allodesmus is most similar to forelimb-dominated swimmers. Principal components and discriminant function analyses of trunk and limb measurements from 24 modern pinniped species demonstrate that Enaliarctos is most similar to hind limb-swimming phocids, while Allodesmus is most similar to forelimb-swimming otariids. These interpretations complicate previous portrayals of swimming evolution in pinnipeds and can paint a very different picture of how this behavior evolved when viewed in the context of alternative phylogenetic hypotheses.
Sunlight exposure and cardiovascular risk factors in the REGARDS study: a cross-sectional split-sample analysis

Background Previous research has suggested that vitamin D and sunlight are related to cardiovascular outcomes, but associations between sunlight and risk factors have not been investigated. We examined whether increased sunlight exposure was related to improved cardiovascular risk factor status.
Biological Control of Insects by Predators and Parasites

Abstract Serious problems are affecting the prevailing insect control strategy. The dilemma has been magnified by a neglect of biological control and disruption of natural enemy activity by the insecticides. A developing integrated control strategy promises a more effective role for biological control in the future.
Measurement of periimplantational relaxin concentrations in the macaque using a homologous assay

Circulating relaxin concentrations in the human rise in the late luteal phase and increase further in response to increasing circulating CG concentrations immediately after implantation. Similar events have not been documented in the laboratory macaque because of the lack of sensitivity of heterologous assay systems. A homologous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for authentic macaque relaxin was developed and validated. Using this enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, relaxin concentrations were measured in peripheral and ovarian venous blood collected from cynomolgus and rhesus macaques. Relaxin concentrations rose in the late luteal phase of nonconceptive menstrual cycles in cynomolgus macaques, but it was not detected at other times in the cycle. In conceptive cycles, relaxin concentrations rose rapidly in close association with the appearance of mCG 13-14 days after mating. Pregnant rhesus macaques also had elevated relaxin concentrations in blood samples collected on days 15-17 postbreeding. Relaxin co...
Operational and Financial Characteristics of Reef‐Fish Vessels in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Areas

Abstract Cost and revenue data collected from reef-fish fishermen in the southeastern United States provided a comprehensive financial and operational profile of commercial fishing vessels during 1980-1981. Analysis of variance tests showed that significant differences existed between vessels operated in the south Atlantic areas vs. vessels operated in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, although the financial characteristics of these vessels were not significantly different. On the contrary, the financial characteristics of vessels using bottom longlines were significantly different than vessels equipped with the traditional handline fishing gear. Owner-operated vessels also had significantly better financial performance than firm-operated vessels. Returns to labor, management, and owner's equity showed considerably larger returns for longline-equipped and owner-operated vessels compared to handline-equipped and firm-operated vessels. The former two groups of vessels also were comparatively more efficient based ...
Relationship of parity and body condition score to pregnancy rates in Florida beef cattle.

Pregnancy rates, determined by per rectum palpation, were analyzed with respect to cow parity (range 1 to >8 calvings) and body condition score (BCS, 1=thin to 9=fat) at pregnancy examination for 3734 beef cattle females on 3 commercial beef operations (8 herds) in 3 Florida counties in 1989 and 1990. The means and standard deviations for the herds were the following: pregnancy rate, 81.3 +/- 39% (range 62.1 to 91.5%); BCS, 4.7 +/- 0.6 (range 4.3 to 4.9); and parity, 3.9 +/- 2.3 (range 2.8 to 4.8). Significant associations were found between pregnancy rate, parity, BCS and herd (P /=5 had a pregnancy rate of 90%. Cows having a parity of /=4 had a PR of 85%. The interaction of parity with BCS was significant, resulting in pregnancy rates as follows; parity /= 5 was 88%; parity >/=4 and BCS /=5 and BCS >/= 5 was 93%. Body condition, parity, and the interaction of body condition and parity play important roles in the reproductive performance of commercial beef cows in Florida.
Current concepts of the aetiology, pathogenesis and pathology of bladder cancer

Attention is directed to the information currently available on the pathogenesis of human bladder cancer. The continuum between carcinoma, carcinoma-in-situ and other epithelial abnormalities is noted. Pre-neoplastic lesions are difined as irreversible but not necessarily progressive, and a possible morphologic marker for pre-neoplasia seen with scanning electron microscopy is described.
Pimozide prevents the response-reinstating effects of water reinforcement in rats.

Thirsty animals were trained to transverse a straight runaway once each day for a reward consisting of 100 licks from a water-filled drinking tube. Once running speeds had stabilized, single daily extinction trials were initiated during which no water reinforcement was provided in the goal box. Extinction trials continued until running had showed to levels approximately half of that observed during reinforced trials. A single treatment trial was then conducted in which some animals found water in the goal box and others continued to find an empty water bottle. Those subjects that were reinforced on treatment day subsequently demonstrated a reinstatement of their operant running response on the very next trial (i.e., 24 hr later). However, pretreatment with 1.0 mg/kg (but not 0.5 mg/kg) of the dopamine antagonist drug, pimozide, attenuated this response-reinstating effect of water-reinforcement. This action of pimozide was not likely a consequence of some residual sedative or motor incapacitation since a) the test day was conducted 24 hr after the treatment day by which time the pharmacological actions of the drug had greatly subsided; b) a Motor Control group administered pimozide after 24 hr later on Test Day; and c) on treatment day, pimozide did not reliably attenuate running times, latency to initiate drinking, nor the rate of licking behavior. Togethher, these data suggest that dopamine receptor antagonism can produce an attenuation in the reinforcing efficacy of water.
Kernel-based machine learning protocol for predicting DNA-binding proteins

DNA-binding proteins (DNA-BPs) play a pivotal role in various intra- and extra-cellular activities ranging from DNA replication to gene expression control. Attempts have been made to identify DNA-BPs based on their sequence and structural information with moderate accuracy. Here we develop a machine learning protocol for the prediction of DNA-BPs where the classifier is Support Vector Machines (SVMs). Information used for classification is derived from characteristics that include surface and overall composition, overall charge and positive potential patches on the protein surface. In total 121 DNA-BPs and 238 non-binding proteins are used to build and evaluate the protocol. In self-consistency, accuracy value of 100% has been achieved. For cross-validation (CV) optimization over entire dataset, we report an accuracy of 90%. Using leave 1-pair holdout evaluation, the accuracy of 86.3% has been achieved. When we restrict the dataset to less than 20% sequence identity amongst the proteins, the holdout accuracy is achieved at 85.8%. Furthermore, seven DNA-BPs with unbounded structures are all correctly predicted. The current performances are better than results published previously. The higher accuracy value achieved here originates from two factors: the ability of the SVM to handle features that demonstrate a wide range of discriminatory power and, a different definition of the positive patch. Since our protocol does not lean on sequence or structural homology, it can be used to identify or predict proteins with DNA-binding function(s) regardless of their homology to the known ones.
Characteristics of basement rocks exposed near the Cajon Pass Scientific Drill Hole

Basement rocks exposed near the drill site to the northeast of the San Andreas fault consist of Mesozoic granitoid intrusions and amphibolite facies migmatitic gneiss. A possible tongue or lobe-shaped pluton of granodiorite is exposed on Cleghorn Ridge, Squaw Peak and Whale Mountain. Adjacent gneiss contains marble, calcsilicate rocks, quartzite, and aluminous schist of sedimentary origin. Metagabbro and dioritic gneiss of possible igneous origin are also present. Peak metamorphic temperatures during emplacement of granodiorite are estimated to have been between 600 to 750°C at a pressure between 3-6 kb.
Ecological Theology: Roots in Tradition, Liturgical and Ethical Practice for Today

Often it is claimed that themes occasionally present in Christianity such as anthropocentrism, ecological alienation, and redemption as a world-escaping disembodied immortality, translated directly into large-scale abuse of nature and subsequent ecological crisis. Such a view is too simplistic, however. Instead the present environmental and ecological crisis may be primarily traced to cultural, economic, and technological developments of the last 500 years. Indeed, within Christian monasticism, ecofeminism, covenantal ethics, and cosmic christology, one finds ample resources for the transformation of human attitudes towards nature and a brighter ecological future.
Is measurement of non-HDL cholesterol an effective way to identify the metabolic syndrome?

Abstract Background and aims The metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been shown to predict coronary heart disease (CHD). Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) is also known to predict CHD, and recent evidence indicated non-HDL-C was able to predict MetS in adolescents. The study aim was to determine whether non-HDL-C serves as a useful metabolic marker for MetS in adults. Methods and results Fasting non-HDL-C measurements were obtained in 366 non-diabetic adults not on lipid-lowering therapy. In addition to traditional non-HDL-C cut-points based on Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines, receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used to identify an optimal cut-point for predicting MetS. A secondary goal was to assess the relationship between non-HDL-C and insulin resistance, defined as the upper tertile of steady-state plasma glucose concentrations measured during the insulin suppression test. Prevalence of MetS was 40% among participants. Those with MetS had higher mean non-HDL-C (4.17 ± 1.0 vs 3.70 ± 0.85 mmol/L, p p Conclusion While MetS was associated with increased non-HDL-C, an effective non-HDL-C threshold to predict MetS in adults was not identified. Dyslipidemic nuances may explain why non-HDL-C may be less useful as a metabolic marker for MetS and/or insulin resistance than for CHD.