cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in the beef cattle production and processing continuum.

Specific concerns have been raised that third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GCr) Escherichia coli, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant (COTr) E. coli, 3GCr Salmonella enterica, and nalidixic acid-resistant (NALr) S. enterica may be present in cattle production environments, persist through beef processing, and contaminate final products. The prevalences and concentrations of these organisms were determined in feces and hides (at feedlot and processing plant), pre-evisceration carcasses, and final carcasses from three lots of fed cattle (n = 184). The prevalences and concentrations were further determined for strip loins from 103 of the carcasses. 3GCr Salmonella was detected on 7.6% of hides during processing and was not detected on the final carcasses or strip loins. NALr S. enterica was detected on only one hide. 3GCr E. coli and COTr E. coli were detected on 100.0% of hides during processing. Concentrations of 3GCr E. coli and COTr E. coli on hides were correlated with pre-evisceration carcass contamination. 3GCr E. coli and COTr E. coli were each detected on only 0.5% of final carcasses and were not detected on strip loins. Five hundred and 42 isolates were screened for extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) virulence-associated markers. Only two COTr E. coli isolates from hides were ExPEC, indicating that fed cattle products are not a significant source of ExPEC causing human urinary tract infections. The very low prevalences of these organisms on final carcasses and their absence on strip loins demonstrate that current sanitary dressing procedures and processing interventions are effective against antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
Developing and Leading Telephone Groups

Telephone groups are an important for meeting the needs of clients who cannot get to face-to-face groups, or prefer the convenience of meeting by telephone. This article describes the knowledge and skills that social group workers need to develop, implement, and lead telephone groups. Particular attention is paid to the clinical adaptations that are needed when leading telephone as compared to face-to-face groups using examples from caregiver psychoeducational and support groups.
Field tests of a passive aerosol sampler

Field tests have been conducted to evaluate the passive aerosol sampler described by Wagner and Leith (2000a,b) Aerosol Science „echnology, in press). Tests were conducted in a well-ventilated occupational environment with coarse, high-concentration aerosols. Measured friction velocities were less than 0.4 m s~1, a range in which passive sampler performance does not depend on turbulence. Passive sampler results correlated well with those of eight-stage cascade impactors, with R2"0.80 and 0.93 for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. Average disagreement between the passive samplers and the impactors was !31 and 41% for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. These discrepancies were attributed to the small amount of "ne particles present, hygroscopic particles, and particle bounce in the impactors. The average CV PM10 for all samples was 20%. The average CV PM2.5 for non-hygroscopic samples was 16%. The average CV PM2.5 for hygroscopic samples was much higher, 59%; water losses in these samples created ill-de"ned particle boundaries which led to imprecision. ( 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
White lesion on the dorsum of tongue

A 57-year-old African American man presented to the oral and maxillofacial clinic at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry for evaluation of a white lesion of the tongue. The patient reported that the lesion first presented 2 years earlier with slight pain and had become asymptomatic over time. The patient also reported that he picked at the lesion several times and had previously removed portions of it. The lesion then grew back over a period of weeks. The patient’s medical history was unremarkable. He denied history of infectious or sexually transmitted diseases, allergies, medications, or trauma. The patient’s social history was positive for 40 pack-years of tobacco smoking. He also presented with significant history of marijuana and intravenous drug abuse. Extraoral examination did not reveal any abnormalities. There was no evidence of lymphadenopathy. There was no history of previous similar lesions elsewhere or any systemic complaints. Intraoral examination revealed a thickened, large, painless, white plaque measuring approximately 4 4 cm on the dorsum of the tongue. The lesion appeared to exhibit slightly tan to brownish discoloration most likely owing to extrinsic staining related to the patient history of cigarette smoking. The central portion of the lesion appeared to be markedly elevated, displaying a verrucous, nodulelike appearance. A small area in the center of the lesion appeared to be slightly erythematous. The bulk of the lesion was
Trends in cartography

Introduction A prevailing cartographic theme has been to reduce mapping time and costs while producing more and better maps. Pursuing this goal, cartographic development has paralleled general technological and informational advances. Surges in cartographic activity have followed inventions which allowed cartographers to transcend previously insurmountable obstacles (e.g., printing press, lithography, aerial photography, scribing, computer graphics, etc.), or developments which created an increased demand for maps (e.g., exploration, war, nationalism, etc.).
Horizontal Basal Cells Are Multipotent Progenitors in Normal and Injured Adult Olfactory Epithelium

The mammalian olfactory neuroepithelium provides a unique system for understanding the regulation of neurogenesis by adult neural stem cells. Recently, mouse horizontal basal cells (HBCs) were identified as stem cells that regenerate olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and non-neuronal cell types only after extensive injury of the olfactory epithelium (OE). Here we report a broader spectrum of action for these cells. We show that even during normal neuronal turnover, HBCs actively generate neuronal and non-neuronal cells throughout adulthood. This occurs in a temporally controlled manner: an initial wave of HBC-derived neurogenesis was observed soon after birth, and a second wave of neurogenesis was observed at 4 months of age. Moreover, upon selective depletion of mature ORNs by olfactory bulbectomy, HBCs give rise to more neurons. Our findings demonstrate a crucial role for HBCs as multipotent progenitors in the adult OE, acting during normal neuronal turnover as well as in acute regeneration upon injury.
DOXORUBICINOL, THE METABOLITE OF DOXORUBUCIN, IS MORE CARDIOTOXIC THAN DOXORUBICIN

The clinical utility of the cancer chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) is limited by its cardiotoxicity. Doxorubicinol (DOXol), the major biometabolite of DOX, preferentially accumulates in heart during chronic DOX administration. We now find that DOXol is cardioactive, increasing resting stress in isometrically contracting papillary muscles isolated from rabbit heart. Values in the table were measured after the addition of 50 ug/ml of DOXol or DOX and expressed as the percent (X ± SE) of pretreatment control values. An increase in resting stress indicates failure of myofibrils to relax and may be related to intracellular calcium ([Ca]i). The table also shows that the greater potency of DOXol, relative to DOX, to increase resting stress correlates with DOXol's greater potency to inhibit, in-vitro, two major determinants of resting [Ca]i, isotopic Na/Ca exchange rate of membrane vesicles enriched in sarcolemma (SL) and Ca pump activity of membrane vesicles enriched in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Thus we speculate that the abnormalities in myocardial relaxation noted in the chronic cardiotoxicity of DOX may be related to the effects of DOXol on membrane regulation of [Ca]i.
Development in cell cultures of Eimeria vermiformis Ernst, Chobotar and Hammond, 1971

Development of Eimeria vermiformis from sporozoite to mature first-generation schizonts in cultured bovine kidney cells, Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells, and primary cultures of whole mouse embryos is described. Intracellular sporozoites were seen at 5 min, and for as long as 120 h after inoculation. Sporozoites were observed penetrating cells, with uninucleate trophozoites and immature schizonts with 2–6 nuclei first appearing 24 h after inoculation. Schizonts with 6 or more nuclei, as well as mature schizonts containing first-generation merozoites, were first seen between 36 and 48 h after inoculation of all 3 cell types used. The first indication of merozoite formation was determined by the appearance of small protuberances of cytoplasm at the periphery of schizonts. Merozoites began development at the periphery of schizonts and were later observed radiating from a central body of cytoplasm, 14–20 merozoites being formed. Some mature schizonts retained a small spherical residual body after merozoite formation was completed. After the rupture of schizonts, intracellular merozoites, which contained anterior and posterior refractile granules, were seen at 48, 72 and 96 h postinoculation. Merozoites were not seen entering or leaving cells. No further development was observed.
Hypersensitivity Reaction on First-Time Exposure to Cuprophan Hollow Fiber Dialyzer

Forty-five patients who have been maintained on hemodialysis using a regenerated cellulose hollow fiber artificial kidney (HFAK) were dialyzed on a cuprophan HFAK for the first time. Three black patients (6.6%), one male and two females, ages 43–61 , who had been stable on hemodialysis for 30–88 months developed hypersensitivity reactions . The recommended setup procedure was carefully followed . Within seconds in 1 patient and within 10–16 minutes in the remaining two, respiratory distress, urticaria , pruritus, hypertension/ hypotension, and facial edema developed. Dialysis was discontinued immediately. They were treated with oxygen, epinephrine, and diphenhydramine. Two patients received IPPB treatments and one received IV methylprednisolone. After allowing 10-15 minutes for stabilization , the dialysis was resumed on a non-cuprophan HFAK. Patients were discharged with no sequelae. The cause of the hypersensitivity reaction is unknown. It could be due to substances used in the sterilization procedure, to the membrane itself, or to substances that leach out of the potting compound or membrane. Hypersensitivity reaction during hemodialysis has been reported to be very severe or even fatal. Personnel delivering direct patient care should be aware of the symptoms and react quickly with proper treatment. Patients suspected to have this reaction should be changed to a dialyzer without a cuprophan membrane.
Grooming, alliances and reciprocal altruism in vervet monkeys

Reciprocal altruism refers to the exchange of beneficial acts between individuals, in which the benefits to the recipient exceed the cost to the altruist. Theory predicts that cooperation among unrelated animals can occur whenever individuals encounter each other regularly and are capable of adjusting their cooperative behaviour according to experience. Although the potential for reciprocal altruism exists in many animal societies, most interactions occur between closely related individuals, and examples of reciprocity among non-kin are rare. The field experiments on vervet monkeys which we present here demonstrate that grooming between unrelated individuals increases the probability that they will subsequently attend to each others' solicitations for aid. Vervets appear to be more willing to aid unrelated individuals if those individuals have behaved affinitively toward them in the recent past. In contrast, recent grooming between close genetic relatives appears to have no effect on their willingness to respond to each other's solicitations for aid.
The impact of alcohol on Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review

Currently, there is discrepancy regarding alcohol's impact on Alzheimer's disease (AD). Consequently, the purpose of this systematic review was to determine whether alcohol serves as a protective agent against the development of AD, as well as whether protective effects are influenced by quantity and/or frequency of drinking. Adapted versions of the Matrix Method and PRISMA guidelines were used in order to identify, organize, and synthesize relevant research. Overall, there is no consensus regarding alcohol's impact on AD. Specifically, seven articles suggested drinking alcohol decreases the risk of AD, three studies found drinking led to an increased risk of AD, and yet another nine reported alcohol had no impact on AD. Validity and consistency of both alcohol and AD measures across studies represents a severe limitation. Prior to the development of standards and/or clinical recommendations, more investigations into the association between alcohol and AD are necessary. Considering the current evidence base, alcohol should not be used as a means to decrease risk of developing AD.
A two-channel analog pulse generator for pulse NMR

Abstract The design of a two-channel analog pulse generator is described. In addition to routine T 1 and T 2 pulse NMR measurements, the instrument also supplies sequences suitable for rotating frame, solid echo, Jenner echo, and Carr-Purcell Meiboom-Gill experiments. Main features are that the generator is self-contained, with pulse sequences selectable by a front panel switch, and that it utilizes gated oscillators for repetitive pulse trains, resulting in flexibility coupled with circuit economy.
Lower extremity arterial disease assessed by ankle-brachial index in a middle-aged population of African Americans and whites: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

Background Lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) is one of the most common manifestations of atherosclerosis. Its epidemiologic characteristics have not been well described, particularly in African Americans. Our purpose was to estimate the prevalence of LEAD and its associations with cardiovascular risk factors in a biracial population of men and women aged 45 to 64 years. Methods We examined 15,173 African-American and white men and women who participated in the baseline examination (1987–1989) of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. LEAD was defined by a resting ankle-brachial index (ABI), the ratio of ankle systolic blood pressure to brachial systolic pressure, of ≤0.90. Cross-sectional analyses were used to determine the association of LEAD with cardiovascular risk factors. Results The age-adjusted prevalence of ABI≤0.90 was 3.1% in African-American men, 4.4% in African-American women, 2.3% in white men, and 3.2% in white women. Cigarette smoking was the single most important risk factor for prevalent LEAD. The odds ratio estimate for LEAD in ever smokers versus never smokers was 6.6 (95% confidence interval [CI]=2.0–21.5) in African-American men, 2.3 (95% CI=1.5–3.5) in African-American women, 10.4 (95% CI=3.8–28.3) in white men, and 1.9 (95% CI=1.4–2.6) in white women, after adjustment for age, LDL cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes. Prevalent LEAD was also associated with hypertension, diabetes, and higher concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and fibrinogen, and lower concentrations of HDL cholesterol, but the associations were not always significant across race/ethnic and gender groups. The associations of LEAD with plasma lipids were generally stronger in African Americans than whites. Conclusions The prevalence of LEAD appears to be higher in African Americans than whites. Elevations in traditional cardiovascular risk factors are associated with a higher prevalence of LEAD across race/ethnic and gender groups.
Prescriptivism and akrasia

ONE Of the standard objections to Hare's prescriptivist analysis of moral judgments is that this analysis is incompatible with the phenomenon of akrasia or "weakness of will." According to the prescriptivist analysis, so the familiar argument runs, it is impossible to assent to a moral judgment (or, at any rate, to assent "fully" to a moral judgment being used in its "central" sense) and yet fail to act in accordance with it. However, because we are all, at least occasionally, subject to the malady of akrasia, we all do, at least occasionally, assent to moral judgments and yet fail to act in accordance with them; hence, AUTHOR'S NOTE: This paper was read at the 1969 meeting of the Eastern Division of the American Philosophical Association. Work on this paper was supported by a Johns Hopkins Faculty Research Grant, which I hereby gratefully acknowledge. 81
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. Antibodies in Cats from Pennsylvania

Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. are zoonotic pathogens of cats. In the present study, the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii and Bartonella spp. were determined in sera from 210 domestic cats from Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Using a modified agglutination test, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 41 (19.5%) of the 210 cats with titers of 1:25 in 4, 1:50 in 9, 1:100 in 7, 1:200 in 3, 1:400 in 3, 1:800 in 5, 1:1,600 in 4, and 1:3,200 or higher in 6. For T. gondii, seroprevalence increased with age of the cat: 15 of 113 (13.2 %) were seropositive compared with 26 of 97 (26.7%) older than 11 mo. Of these 210 cats, 54 (25.7%) were positive for Bartonella spp. antibodies, with titers of 1:64 in 20, 1:128 in 21, 1:256 in 9, and 1:512 in 4. Seventeen cats had antibodies to both organisms. There was no correlation between T. gondii and Bartonella spp. seropositivity. Overall the seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies in cats in this population is much lower compared with those reported in other localities in the United States and other countries.
Familial recurrence rates and genetic models of multiple sclerosis.

Susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) is determined by both inherited and non-inherited factors. The importance of genetic factors is demonstrated by the increased risk of disease in relatives of MS patients. Our objective was to determine the implications of the observed familial recurrence risks for the genetic basis of MS. We developed a computer program which calculates recurrence risks for monozygotic (MZ) twins, siblings, and second degree relatives, and used it to calculate recurrence risks for a wide variety of genetic models. We investigated models with different numbers of genes, different patterns of interaction between the genes, and dominant or recessive inheritance. The models that best reproduced the observed values had multiple loci with strongly synergistic interaction and autosomal dominant (AD) inheritance. At least six loci were required, and we found no upper limit on the number of loci. Models with genetic heterogeneity, where only a fraction of the risk loci are required for disease, are possible. In models with large numbers of loci the “abnormal” alleles conferring risk of disease are the most common allele. We conclude that a variety of genetic models with multiple genes, dominant inheritance, and synergistic interaction between risk genes are consistent with the observed familial recurrence rates in MS. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Targeting and killing of glioblastoma with activated T cells armed with bispecific antibodies

Since most glioblastomas express both wild-type EGFR and EGFRvIII as well as HER2/neu, they are excellent targets for activated T cells (ATC) armed with bispecific antibodies (BiAbs) that target EGFR and HER2. ATC were generated from PBMC activated for 14 days with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody in the presence of interleukin-2 and armed with chemically heteroconjugated anti-CD3×anti-HER2/neu (HER2Bi) and/or anti-CD3×anti-EGFR (EGFRBi). HER2Bi- and/or EGFRBi-armed ATC were examined for in vitro cytotoxicity using MTT and 51Cr-release assays against malignant glioma lines (U87MG, U118MG, and U251MG) and primary glioblastoma lines. EGFRBi-armed ATC killed up to 85% of U87, U118, and U251 targets at effector:target ratios (E:T) ranging from 1:1 to 25:1. Engagement of tumor by EGFRBi-armed ATC induced Th1 and Th2 cytokine secretion by armed ATC. HER2Bi-armed ATC exhibited comparable cytotoxicity against U118 and U251, but did not kill HER2-negative U87 cells. HER2Bi- or EGFRBi-armed ATC exhibited 50—80% cytotoxicity against four primary glioblastoma lines as well as a temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant variant of U251. Both CD133– and CD133+ subpopulations were killed by armed ATC. Targeting both HER2Bi and EGFRBi simultaneously showed enhanced efficacy than arming with a single BiAb. Armed ATC maintained effectiveness after irradiation and in the presence of TMZ at a therapeutic concentration and were capable of killing multiple targets. High-grade gliomas are suitable for specific targeting by armed ATC. These data, together with additional animal studies, may provide the preclinical support for the use of armed ATC as a valuable addition to current treatment regimens.
Urinary excretion and metabolism of salts of 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide following intravenous administration to female Yorkshire pigs☆

A single dose of zinc pyridine-2-thiol-1-oxide (ZPT; 5 mg/kg; oil-in-water emulsion), sodium pyridine-2-thiol-1-oxide (SPT; 50 mg/kg; aqueous solution), or the magnesium sulfate adduct of 2,2′-dithio-bis-pyridine-1-oxide (MDS; 4 mg/kg; aqueous solution), which included 5 μCi/kg of 2,6-14C-labeled material, was injected via a jugular vein cannula into female Yorkshire pigs in order to study the plasma half-life, the urinary excretion rate, and the metabolism of these antimicrobial and antifungal agents during a 96-hr period. At the doses employed, all of these agents produced cholinergic effects (parasympathetic and somatomotor) which lasted for 30–60 min. Plasma decline in radioactivity was a biphasic exponential function for each compound. Half-lives for the initial phase of plasma disappearance (0.25 to 8 hr after injection) ranged from 2.0 to 2.9 hr and the slower, secondary phase was characterized by half-lives of 26.6 to 36.3 hr. The urinary excretion in terms of the percentage of total dose excreted within 96 hr, was 95 for SPT, 56 for ZPT, and 54 for MDS. The majority of total radioactivity was recovered in the urine within the first 24 hr postinjection. Thin-layer radiochromatographic analysis indicated that 2,2′-(pyridyl-N-oxide) disulfide was the primary metabolite of SPT whereas the primary metabolite for both ZPT and MDS appeared to be 2-(pyridyl-N-oxide) sulfonic acid.
Southeastern Plants Toxic to Ruminants

Selected toxic plants affecting cattle, sheep, and goats in the southeastern United States are presented. The author's intention is to provide veterinary practitioners and students with an overview of plant poisoning in the region. Plants are grouped by body system affected, based on clinical signs and/or lesions.
A method to biotinylate and histochemically visualize ibotenic acid for pharmacological inactivation studies

Ibotenic acid (IA) and kainic acid (KA) are commonly used tools to selectively inactivate neuronal perikarya, eventually leading to their degeneration, without affecting fibers of passage. Reversible inactivations and experimental paradigms that do not allow for long survival times, however, do not permit for histological verification of the site and extent of the lesion by identifying the area showing gliosis. We describe here a method in which IA and KA were conjugated with biotin and thus could be easily visualized histochemically. We pressure-injected biotinylated IA and KA into various hindbrain areas of the electrosensory system in electric fish while monitoring neuronal responses at the injection site and assessing effects on the behavior. Whereas the effects of biotinylated IA did not differ from those of the unbiotinylated form, biotinylated KA lost its physiological activity. Thus, only biotinylated IA could be used successfully. The size of the gliosis seen after a survival time of seven days was similar to the extent of biotin label observed after injection of comparable volumes of biotinylated IA. Moreover, this method resulted in labeling of individual neurons presumably affected by IA and yielded information about their projection patterns which was comparable to labeling seen after intracellular injections of neurobiotin or biocytin.
Health Risk Profile for Older Adults with Blindness: An Application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Framework

Purpose: To develop a health risk profile for adults age 65 years or older with blindness, using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as our conceptual framework.Methods: We combined and analyzed data from the 2000–2006 National Health Interview Survey after backcoding questions to the ICF. We compared older adults with blindness (n = 477) and older adults with vision loss but not blindness (n = 6,721) with older adults who reported no vision loss (n = 33,497) for the following outcome measures: demographics, functional limitations (self-care, social participation, and mobility limitations), level of psychological distress, physical health status, selected chronic conditions and health risk behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, obesity, and physical inactivity).Results: Older adults with blindness were more likely to be poorer, older, and less educated than older adults without vision loss. They were also more likely to have fair to poor health; to have difficulty walkin...
Discrete basis-set approach for calculating Bethe logarithms

We present a discrete basis-set technique for calculating Bethe logarithms for eigenstates of the hydrogen atom. Although our initial results for the 1s and 2s states are accurate to only about 2%, a high-order Neville-Richardson extrapolation yields Bethe logarithms accurate to better than 1 part in ${10}^{13}$, some three digits more precise than the best previous calculation. The dramatic improvement in accuracy illustrates the power of Neville-Richardson extrapolation, which may well be found useful for improving the accuracy of numerical calculations in other areas of atomic physics.
Selling America to the world: The case of Brand USA

Abstract Astonishingly, America has never embarked on a coordinated international campaign to sell itself to potential overseas visitors. But in response to a decade of stagnant visitor numbers, and a weakening brand image, America launched its first-ever branding initiative in 2012. Called Brand USA, marketers used key consumer insights gained from in-depth research to develop a campaign that focused on the diversity, pop culture, optimistic spirit and larger than life presence of the country, inviting visitors to see, hear and feel the U.S. in a new way. This regional spotlight takes a closer look at this effort, providing valuable insight for both academics and practitioners into the process of branding a destination.
Vaccine nomenclature: the three-letter code.

With increasing worldwide use of combined vaccines a short and informative system of names or codes for vaccines is essential. In addition, within the EU eleven official languages exist and some more are used. Due to these facts an increasing risk of medication errors for vaccines is emerging. A three-letter code naming system was first developed as part of the Note for guidance on pharmaceutical and biological aspects of combined vaccines (CPMP/BWP/477/97), but was deleted there later. Then a second approach was initiated by the European OMCL Network in order to implement this three-letter code system in the common nomenclature guideline within the Ph. Eur. (Index of standard terms). Both activities have not been successful until now to implement this system. Therefore we now present the three-letter code system in order to initiate either its voluntary use by vaccine manufacturers or to accelerate the obligatory implementation within the EU legislative framework. This coding system is thought to be used in addition to the brand name of the vaccine on the label of the final vaccine container, in order to have a safe last minute check whether the appropriate antigens are given.
Tolerance weighted frequency indices for non-cognitive symptoms of dementia:

In this study we examine factors which are associated with nursing home placement in terms of both their frequency of occurrence and the degree to which caregivers perceive them to have influenced placement. We propose “Tolerance Weighted Frequency Indices “ (TWFIs) to rank symptoms in terms of their association with placement decisions. Given our method for calculating TWFIs we observe that basic activity of daily living impairments appear to have a comparatively stronger association with nursing home placement than many disruptive behaviors. These findings emphasize the importance of management of ADL impairments in strategies designed to delay or prevent nursing home placement.
A serotonergic innervation of noradrenergic neurons in nucleus locus coeruleus: demonstration by immunocytochemical localization of the transmitter specific enzymes tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylase.

Summary Immunocytochemical localization of the neurotransmitter synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylase, was used to determine whether the noradrenergic neurons in the nucleus locus coeruleus of the rat are innervated by serotonergic (5-HT) neurons. Specific antibodies were prepared to tyrosine hydroxylase, purified from the bovine adrenal medulla, and tryptophan hydroxylase, purified from rat midbrain. These were localized by both light and electron microscopy by the use of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method 28 . In the nucleus locus coeruleus, tyrosine hydroxylase was contained in the cytoplasm, proximal axons, and dendrites of intrinsic neurons. Tryptophan hydroxylase, on the other hand, was only contained within processes surrounding the perikarya and dendrites of the catecholaminergic neurons. The processes labeled with tryptophan hydroxylase were unmyelinated, ranged in size from 0.1 to 1.4 μm, and consisted of terminal varicosities separated by intervaricose segments. Although in close approximation to noradrenergic neurons, these processes, presumably axons, rarely formed synaptic contacts with thickened membrane specializations. In processes, tryptophan hydroxylase was associated with subcellular organelles which had the size and distribution of microtubules, and small and large synaptic vesicles. These observations provide a morphological basis to support the hypothesis that the activity of noradrenergic neurons may be modulated by a direct actions of 5-HT neurons.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Anovaginal Isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae from Pregnant Women in Their Late Third Trimester

Group B streptococcus (GBS) neonatal sepsis is a serious disease causing newborn mortality and long-term neurologic sequelae. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend third-trimester GBS screening and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for high-risk women. The aim of our study was to identify colonized pregnant women and assess the prevalence of GBS in pregnancy and the susceptibility pattern of GBS in southern Taiwan. We performed the study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Women and Children' Hospital, between January and December 2002. Distal vaginal and anorectal swabs were obtained from pregnant women at 35 or more weeks' gestation. Swabs were used to inoculate selected medium, which was subcultured onto sheep' blood agar after 24 hours. Sensitivity to azithromycin, clindamycin, erythromycin, ofloxacin, penicillin G, tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and vancomycin was tested using the disc diffusion method. Of the 374 pregnant women enrolled in the study, 56 (15%) had positive cultures for GBS. Antibiotic susceptibility was as follows: azithromycin 44.6%, clindamycin 66.1%, erythromycin 70.5%, ofloxacin 70.5%, penicillin G 60.7%, tetracycline 39.3%, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 35.7%, and vancomycin 100%. The CDC recommend penicillin as the first choice for intrapartum prophylaxis, with erythromycin and clindamycin as alternatives for penicillin-allergic patients. There has been increasing resistance to these antibiotics among GBS. Third-trimester GBS screening and susceptibility testing for pregnant women should be considered.
Does obesity produce a distinct asthma phenotype

Obesity and asthma prevalence have been increasing over the past decade. Epidemiological evidence demonstrates that obesity results in an increased risk of developing incident asthma. Even modest levels of increased weight increase asthma risk. Recently published data suggest that obese asthma patients may represent a distinct phenotype of asthma. Obese asthma patients demonstrate increased asthma severity, as indicated by increased exacerbations and decreased asthma control; however, they do not appear to have increased airway cellular inflammation. It seems likely that obesity does not contribute to asthma through conventional Th type 2-mediated inflammatory pathways but, rather, through separate mechanisms that are specific to the obese state. This may explain the variable responses of obese asthma patients to conventional asthma therapies, specifically, relative corticosteroid resistance. Small studies suggest improvements in the disease with weight loss in obese asthma patients, and other interventions to target asthma in obese individuals need to be investigated. Several postulated mechanisms for the occurrence of this distinct phenotype have been postulated: 1) the presence of comorbidities, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and sleep disordered breathing, 2) systemic inflammation associated with obesity (with elevated levels of circulating cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α), 3) increased oxidative stress, and 4) hormones of obesity, such as adiponectin, leptin, and resistin. Although the mechanisms underlying obesity in asthma require further investigation, obesity plays a major role in the asthma epidemic and likely results in a distinct phenotype of the disease.
Reverse osmosis separations of aldehydes, ketones, and ethers in aqueous solutions using porous cellulose acetate membranes

Reverse osmosis data for a number of aldehyde, ketone, and ether solutes whose polar parameters Σσ* lie in the ranges of −0.2 to 0.6, −0.4 to 0.6, and −0.49 to 0.6, respectively, have been analyzed. The results show that solute transport parameters can be expressed as a function of steric parameters ΣEs only for ethers, polar parameter Σσ* only for aldehydes, and both ΣEs and Σσ* for ketones. The numerical values of the functional proportionality constants ρ* and δ* associated with Σσ* and ΣEs respectively, for the above class of solutes have been determined for operating pressures up to 500 psig, and a method of predicting solute separation from data on any reference solute only in each class has been established. The data on solute transport parameters for ethers, aldehydes, and ketones have been correlated with the corresponding data for sodium chloride through appropriate link constants. Analysis of data on mixed solute systems involving aldehydes and ketones show that the solutes behave independently in reverse osmosis.
Permittivity and permeability of chiralic mixture: application of logarithmic law of mixing

The Lichtenecker-Rother logarithmic law of mixing is extended to determine the permittivity and permeability of two-phase chiral media. Relevant formulations express the effective permittivity, permeability and chirality of a two-component mixture formed by chiralic inclusions dispersed in an achiralic host medium, in closed forms. Computed results are compared with existing formulation(s) based on Maxwell-Garnett theory.
IL-2 Controls the Stability of Foxp3 Expression in TGF-β–Induced Foxp3+ T Cells In Vivo

Stimulation of naive mouse CD4(+)Foxp3(-) T cells in the presence of TGF-β results in the induction of Foxp3 expression and T suppressor function. However, Foxp3 expression in these induced regulatory T cells (iTreg) is unstable, raising the possibility that iTreg would not be useful for treatment of autoimmune diseases. To analyze the factors that control the stability of Foxp3 expression in iTreg, we generated OVA-specific iTreg from OT-II Foxp3-GFP knockin mice. Following transfer to normal C57BL/6 mice, OT-II GFP(+) cells maintained high levels of Foxp3 expression for 8 d. However, they rapidly lost Foxp3 expression upon stimulation with OVA in IFA in vivo. This unstable phenotype was associated with a strong methylation of the Treg-specific demethylated region within the Foxp3 locus. Administration of IL-2/anti-IL-2 complexes expanded the numbers of transferred Foxp3(+) iTreg in the absence of Ag challenge. Notably, when the iTreg were stimulated with Ag, treatment with IL-2/anti-IL-2 complexes stabilized Foxp3 expression and resulted in enhanced demethylation of the Treg-specific demethylated region. Conversely, neutralization of IL-2 or disruption of its signaling by deletion of Stat5 diminished the level of Foxp3 expression resulting in decreased suppressor function of the iTreg in vivo. Our data suggest that stimulation with TGF-β in vitro is not sufficient for imprinting T cells with stable expression of Foxp3. Administration of IL-2 in vivo results in stabilization of Foxp3 expression and may prove to be a valuable adjunct for the use of iTreg for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Surface Contribution to Planetary Albedo Variability in Cryosphere Regions

Climatological planetary albedo obtained from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) D-series flux dataset is broken down into contributions from the surface and atmosphere in cryosphere regions. The atmosphere accounts for much more of climatological planetary albedo (75%) than the surface at all times of the year. The insignificance of the surface contribution over highly reflective cryosphere regions is attributed mostly to the damping effect of the atmosphere. The overlying atmosphere attenuates the surface’s contribution to climatological planetary albedo by reducing the number of solar photons initially reaching the surface and the number of photons initially reflected by the surface that actually reach the top of the atmosphere. The ISCCP datasets were also used to determine the relative contributions of the surface and atmosphere to seasonal and interannual planetary albedo variability in cryosphere regions. Even damped by the atmosphere to the same degree as in the climatological case, the surface contribution dominates the variability in planetary albedo on seasonal and interannual time scales. The surface accounts for about 75% of the change in climatological planetary albedo from one season to another with similar zenith angle and more than 50% of its interannual variability at nearly all times of the year, especially during seasons with extensive snow and sea ice extent. The dominance of the surface in planetary albedo variability is because surface albedo variability associated with snow and ice fluctuations is significantly larger than atmospheric albedo variability due to cloud fluctuations. The large effect of snow and ice variations on planetary albedo variability suggests that if cloud fields do not change much in a future warmer climate, a retreat of snow cover or sea ice would lead to a significant increase in net incoming solar radiation, resulting in an enhancement of high-latitude climate sensitivity.
An 18.6Gb/s double-sampling receiver in 65nm CMOS for ultra-low-power optical communication

Using optics for chip-to-chip interconnects has recently gained a lot of interest. As data rates scale to meet increasing bandwidth requirements, the shortcomings of copper channels are becoming more severe. Hybrid integration of optical devices with electronics has been demonstrated to achieve high performance [1–4], and recent advances in silicon photonics have led to fully integrated optical signaling [5]. These approaches pave the way to massively parallel optical communications. Dense arrays of optical detectors require very low-power, sensitive, and compact optical receiver circuits. Existing designs for the input receiver, such as TIA, require large power consumption to achieve high bandwidth and low noise, and can occupy large area due to bandwidth-enhancement inductors. In this work, a compact low-power optical receiver that scales well with technology is designed to explore the potential of optical signaling for future chip-to-chip and on-chip communication.
How much should an agent know what other agents are doing in a cooperative team

Cooperation in a task oriented multi agent team is important because a well designed cooperation strategy among a group of cooperating agents can lead to an increase of group performance. A challenging research issue in cooperation is to assess how much and to what extent an agent should consider the actions and effects of other agents. We address this issue in the context of an object search team. We first propose the concept of activity window to capture the view of an agent on the activities of the team. Then we pinpoint some criteria that can be used to determine whether it is beneficial for an agent to put an action of the team into its window. Finally, we present experimental results.
The effects of birth location and sociological influences on violent victimization among hispanic youth

Although prior research has found evidence of the relationship between acculturation and offending, a detailed examination as to whether acculturation extends to victimization is lacking. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether acculturation emerges as a factor relevant for violent victimization. Furthermore, this study sought to test the effects of sociological influences such as familial attachment to ascertain whether these effects account for the differences in violent victimization among foreign- and native-born Hispanics, while accounting for violent offending. Using data from a large nationally representative sample of Hispanic youth, the results indicated that there was a significant difference in violent victimization between foreign-born and native-born Hispanic youth. Also, despite the effect of familial attachment on violent victimization, elements of social learning (i.e., delinquent peers) and involvement in violent offending appear to better explain the violent victimization experiences among Hispanic youth. Language: en
Adapting US Privacy Laws to the Internet: Is Patching Enough?

The current laws addressing privacy in the United States (US) vary greatly both in number and in level of government to which they are applied and enforced. As new technologies are created existing laws are modified to address these technologies, and when a law cannot be modified new laws are created. This modification of older laws and creation of situation specific laws has resulted in a patchwork of privacy laws, which both protect and harm the citizen's privacy. This paper examines the US federal laws which address two different Internet technologies (websites and email). These laws are examined for their effects on privacy both positive and negative. This paper seeks to show that the current privacy laws and their patchwork nature are not effective, and will present the steps towards repairing this system.
Processor reliability enhancement through compiler-directed register file peak temperature reduction

Each semiconductor technology generation brings us closer to the imminent processor architecture heat wall, with all its associated adverse effects on system performance and reliability. Temperature hotspots not only accelerate the physical failure mechanisms such as electromigration and dielectric breakdown, but furthermore make the system more vulnerable to timing-related intermittent failures. Traditional thermal management techniques suffer from considerable performance overhead as the entire processor needs to be stalled or slowed down to preclude heat accumulation. Given the significant temporal and spatial variations of the chip-wide temperature, we propose in this paper a technique that directly targets one of the resources that is most likely to overheat in current processors, namely, the register files. Instead of duplicating or physically distributing the register file, we suggest to attain power density control through exploiting the extant spatial slack associated with register file accesses. Based on application-specific access profiles, a compiler-directed register shuffling strategy is proposed to deterministically construct the logical to physical register mapping in a rotating manner. Simulation results confirm that the proposed technique attains, within a limited hardware budget and negligible performance degradation, effective reduction in peak temperature and hence in the expected fault rates for the entire chip.
Fresnel beamforming for compact portable ultrasound array system

This paper presents a new beamforming method that may reduce the size and cost of the system with minimized image quality tradeoffs. Applying optical Fresnel principles in ultrasound imaging, a system with 4 transmit and 2 receive channels can be used to steer and focus an array with 64 to 128 elements. The spatial resolution and contrast-to-noise ratios obtained from simulation and experiment show that the spatial resolution using an 8-phase Fresnel beamforming method is comparable to those values obtained from traditional delay-and-sum beamforming.
Extra-Role Time, Burnout, and Commitment The Power of Promises Kept

This study examines the relationships of extra-role time (ERT) behavior with burnout and occupational commitment among teachers through the lens of conservation of resources (COR) theory. Results reveal that teachers who invest in more ERT are also more likely to experience burnout and decreased commitment to teaching than those who invest less. However, results also indicate that the ethical practice of the employer fulfilling the psychological contract (keeping promises) entered into with the teacher offsets this negative spiral with implications for both teacher well-being and workplace outcomes.
California native and exotic perennial grasses differ in their response to soil nitrogen, exotic annual grass density, and order of emergence

Early emergence of plant seedlings can offer strong competitive advantages over later-germinating neighbors through the preemption of limiting resources. This phenomenon may have contributed to the persistent dominance of European annual grasses over native perennial grasses in California grasslands, since the former species typically germinate earlier in the growing season than the latter and grow rapidly after establishing. Recently, European perennial grasses have been spreading into both non-native annual and native perennial coastal grass stands in California. These exotic perennials appear to be less affected by the priority effects arising from earlier germination by European annual grasses. In addition, these species interactions in California grasslands may be mediated by increasing anthropogenic or natural soil nitrogen inputs. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to test the effects of order of emergence and annual grass seedling density on native and exotic perennial grass seedling performance across different levels of nitrogen availability. We manipulated the order of emergence and density of an exotic annual grass (Bromus diandrus) grown with either Nassella pulchra (native perennial grass), Festuca rubra (native perennial grass), or Holcus lanatus (exotic perennial grass), with and without added nitrogen. Earlier B. diandrus emergence and higher B. diandrus density resulted in greater reduction in the aboveground productivity of the perennial grasses. However, B. diandrus suppressed both native perennials to a greater extent than it did H. lanatus. Nitrogen addition had no effect on the productivity of native perennials, but greatly increased the growth of the exotic perennial H. lanatus, grown with B. diandrus. These results suggest that the order of emergence of exotic annual versus native perennial grass seedlings could play an important role in the continued dominance of exotic annual grasses in California. The expansion of the exotic perennial grass H. lanatus in coastal California may be linked to its higher tolerance of earlier-emerging annual grasses and its ability to access soil resources amidst high densities of annual grasses.