cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Action potentials are critical for the propagation of focally elicited spreading depolarizations.

Spreading depolarizations (SDs) of gray matter occur in the brain, in different pathological conditions, and cause varying degrees of tissue damage depending on the extent of metabolic burden on the tissue. As might be expected for such large depolarizations, neurons exhibit bursts of action potentials as the wave propagates. However, the specific role of action potentials in SD propagation is unclear. This is potentially consequential, since sodium channel modulation has not been considered as a therapeutic target for SD-associated disorders, due to ambiguous experimental evidence. Using whole-cell electrophysiology and single-photon imaging in acute cortical slices from male C57Bl6 mice, we tested the effects of action potential blockade on SDs generated by two widely used induction paradigms. We found that action potential blockade using tetrodotoxin (TTX) restricted propagation of focally induced SDs, and significantly reduced the amplitude of neuronal depolarization, as well as its Ca2+ load. TTX also abolished the suppression of spontaneous synaptic activity that is a hallmark of focally induced SD. In contrast, TTX did not affect the propagation of SD induced by global superfusion of high [K+]e ACSF. Thus, we show that voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav) mediated neuronal action potential bursts are critical for the propagation and downstream effects of focally induced SD but are less important when the ionic balance of the extracellular space is already compromised. In doing so we corroborate the notion that two different SD induction paradigms, each relevant to different clinical situations, vary significantly in their characteristics and potentially their response to treatment. Significance Our findings suggest that Nav channels have a critical role in the propagation and downstream neural effects of focally induced SD. As SDs are likely induced focally in many disease conditions, these studies strongly support sodium channel modulation, a previously underappreciated therapeutic option in SD-associated disorders, as a viable approach.
The Character, Mission, and Future of Lutheran Higher Education

This article looks at the history of Lutheran higher education in the United States, discusses what Lutheran institutions of higher education must do to remain vital centers of learning, and examines questions that face American higher education in general.
The treatment of abnormal menstrual function with estrogenic and gonadotropic hormones

HE T following report is based on a clinical evaluation of the effectivcness of estrogenic and gonadotropic hormones in patients with menstrual derangements. The estrogenic hormone used was an active oral preparation known as emmenin. The gonadotropic hormone used was anterior pituitarylike substance. These preparations are derived from the human placenta by differential solubility. The estrogenic hormone, emmenin, is standardized so that one teaspoonful contains 120 day-oral (Collip) units. The gonadotropic hormone, A.P.L. or anterior pituitary-like, is at present standardized at 500 Collip rat units per cc. At the time of beginning this study, each C.C. contained 100 units.
Employment considerations for individuals with psychiatric disabilities and criminal histories: Consumer perspectives

The purpose of this qualitative project was to explore employment-related considerations through the perspectives of supported employment consumers with both psychiatric disabilities and criminal offense histories. Fourteen individuals partici- pated in semi-structured interviews. Resulting themes included the importance of nonvocational services; relationship between mental illness and criminal activity; impact of mental illness and offense history on employment; helpful elements of supported employment; and recovery and advice to others. These findings help to explain how supported employment can mitigate social underachievement and social decline in an especially high need population.
Computation of the H ∞ norm of a transfer function

A new method for computing G∞, the H∞ norm of a given transfer function G(s) is proposed. In this paper, we use the pole-zero diagram of G(s), the root locus concept, and the jω-axis transmission zeros of γ2I-GT(-s)G(s) to quickly locate a narrow frequency interval which brackets the supremum of [G(jω)]. Then Brent's method (an improved parabolic interpolation search method) is employed to find the maximum of [G(jω)] over the initial frequency bracket. The proposed approach is faster than the existing frequency search and ω bisection search methods since the initial frequency interval we obtain usually is quite small and the Brent's method in general is much faster than the bisection method.
Stereoselectivity: An Issue of Significant Importance in Clinical Pharmacology

Many drugs have one or more asymmetric centers and are administered as a racemate containing an equal mixture of enantiomers with different pharmacologic properties, routes, and rates of disposition in humans. For example, S-warfarin is more potent than R-warfarin, and is metabolized by different pathways. The S-enantiomer is primarily oxidized, and the R-enantiomer is metabolized by both oxidation and reduction. Nevertheless, because of the difficulty in separating and analyzing individual enantiomers, most pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies on drugs have been performed without considering the stereochemical factors. This is unfortunate, because a nonstereoselective approach to the study of chiral drugs precludes insight into potential valuable information that may be relevant to drug development and evaluation. On the other hand, when the pharmacologic properties (including activity, disposition, and interaction with the other enantiomer) of enantiomers have been defined, manipulation of the enantiomeric ratio or use of the pure enantiomer can be pursued to optimize therapeutic efficacy.
Implementation of a tactical voice/data network over FDDI

An asynchronous high-speed fiber-optic local-area network is described that simultaneously supports packet data traffic with synchronous TI voice traffic over a standard asynchronous FDDI (fiber distributed data interface) token-ring channel. A voice interface module was developed that parses, buffers, and resynchronizes the voice data to the packet network. The technique is general, however, and can be applied to any deterministic class of networks, including multitier backbones. In addition, the higher layer packet data protocols may operate independently of those for the voice, thereby permitting great flexibility in reconfiguring the network. Voice call setup and switching functions are performed external to the network with PABX equipment. >
Critical evaluation of the Global DOTS Expansion Plan

The development of the DOTS Expansion Plan has been a milestone in tuberculosis (TB) control at the global and national levels. Key challenges that remain are overcoming the weakness of a strategy built on case management, sustaining commitment, competing priorities, the threat of HIV, maintaining high quality of care and preventing drug resistance, building human resource capacity, improving diagnosis and fostering operations research. The ability to address these challenges will determine the success or failure of the Global Plan to Stop TB, 2006-2015.
How to Beat Kindergartners at Battleship

Every father must come to grips with the fact that his sons will eventually defeat him in virtually every head-to-head competition they embark upon, a prime example being on the basketball court wh...
Little girls and sex: A glimpse at the world of the “baby pro”

The literature on child prostitution is limited. There is some historical documentation, but data on contemporary empirical observations is generally unavailable. Moreover, most studies have focuse...
Signs that encourage internalized recycling: Clinical validation, weak messages and “creative elaboration”

Abstract Two experiments examined clinical validation's ability to increase examination of a persuasive message and increase long-term recycling. In Experiment 1, validating (acknowledging) recycling's inconvenience decreased criticism of the persuasive message, supporting validation's ability to reduce reactance and open the reader to new ideas. Validation did not improve attitudes towards the sign's author, removing liking for the communicator as an alternate explanation for attitude change. In Experiment 2, different recycling signs were created from a 2(no validation/validation) by 2(weak/strong arguments) factorial design, and placed in university buildings. The validation weak sign increased recycling more than the validation strong sign, especially after the signs were removed. We suggest that validation induced people to scrutinize the weak message and use their existing pro-recycling attitudes to “creatively elaborate” it. Discussion emphasizes clinical validation and the Elaboration Likelihood Model as theoretical tools, as well as the potential for thought provoking signs to have long-term effects.
Vancomycin use in pediatric neurosurgery patients

Abstract Objective: The objective of this article is to describe a pediatric neurosurgery patient population receiving vancomycin and examine the indications for and appropriateness of vancomycin use. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on the pediatric neurosurgery patients at Egleston Children's Hospital who received vancomycin from January 1 through December 31, 1996. Vancomycin use was compared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee recommendations for vancomycin use. Results: Thirty patients received 115 doses of vancomycin. The median patient age was 8.0 years, and 17 (56.7%) were male. Vancomycin was used for prophylaxis in 28 (93.3%) patients and empiric therapy in 3 (10.0%) patients; one patient received vancomycin for surgical prophylaxis followed by empiric therapy for suspected meningitis. Vancomycin prophylaxis was initiated after the incision in 6 (21.4%) patients and was continued as prophylaxis for more than one dose in 26 (92.9%) patients. Conclusions: Vancomycin was used primarily as surgical prophylaxis in pediatric neurosurgery patients, and use was not consistent with the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee recommendations. These data suggest that for certain subpopulations, such as pediatric neurosurgery patients, there is a need for more specialized recommendations. Furthermore, prudent vancomycin use is warranted to successfully decrease the risk of further emergence of vancomycin resistance. Because vancomycin use may be prevalent in this population, assessment of vancomycin use in pediatric neurosurgery patients followed by establishment of vancomycin clinical guidelines may help improve the appropriateness of vancomycin use in this population. (AJIC Am J Infect Control 1999;27:482-7)
Balloon-pump counterpulsation for management of severe cardiac dysfunction after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective To evaluate the use of intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) placement to counter severe cardiac dysfunction after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods From August 2006 to October 2011, eight patients (seven women, mean age 47 years ± 5) with aneurysmal SAH underwent IABP placement. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to assess outcome at discharge and long-term follow-up. Results Most patients presented in poor Hunt & Hess grade (grade III, 25%; grade IV, 62.5%; grade V, 12.5%). Three patients underwent surgical clipping, and five patients underwent endovascular treatment. All patients had severe cardiogenic shock, with a mean ejection fraction of 21%. One patient (12.5%) experienced transient left leg ischemia attributable to the IABP. No patient deaths occurred. At discharge, one patient was moderately disabled (mRS = 3), two patients were moderately to severely disabled (mRS, 4), and five patients were severely disabled (mRS = 5). The seven patients available for long-term follow-up (mean, 11.25 months) showed substantial functional improvements. Two patients exhibited no significant disability (mRS = 1), two patients exhibited only slight disability (mRS = 2), and 3 patients exhibited moderate to severe disability (mRS = 4). Conclusions In select patients, particularly young women with poor-grade SAH, balloon-pump counterpulsation may serve as a useful adjunct in the management of severe cardiac dysfunction after SAH. Further investigation is necessary to define the optimal patient population for this technique.
Anomalous Z decays and g−2 of the electron

Abstract If the leptonic Z decays with an energetic photon are interpreted as cascade decays through a new particle, a stringent constraint is imposed on the couplings by the measured value of the magnetic moment of the electron. In models with a fermion E, where Z → e E ( e E ) → e e γ , the constraint is avoided if ER and EL are either both singlets or both members of a doublet.
Anticonvulsant drug actions on neurons in cell culture

Two actions of clinically used antiepileptic drugs have been studied using mouse neurons in primary dissociated cell culture. The antiepileptic drugs phenytoin, carbamazepine and valproic acid were demonstrated to limit sustained high frequency repetitive firing of action potentials at free serum concentratons that are achieved in patients being treated for epilepsy. Furthermore, an active metabolite of carbamazepine also limited sustained high frequency repetitive firing while inactive metabolites of phenytoin and carbamazepine did not limit sustained high frequency repetitive firing. Phenobarbital and clinically used benzodiazepines limited sustained high frequency repetitive firing of action potentials, but only at concentrations achieved during the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus. Ethosuximide did not limit sustained high frequency repetitive firing even at concentrations four times those achieved in the serum of patients treated for generalized absence seizures. Phenobarbital and clinically used benzodiazepines enhanced postsynaptic GABA responses at concentrations achieved free in the serum during treatment of generalized tonic-clonic or generalized absence seizures. However, phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid and ethosuximide did not modify postsynaptic GABA responses at therapeutic free serum concentrations. These results suggest that the ability of antiepileptic drugs to block generalized tonicclonic seizures and generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus may be related to their ability to block high frequency repetitive firing of neurons. The mechanism underlying blockade of myoclonic seizures may be related to the ability of antiepileptic drugs to enhance GABAergic synaptic transmission. The mechanism underlying management of generalized absence seizures remains unclear.
Macromolecular synthesis in cells infected by frog virus 3. XIII. Cell-free translation of immediate early viral mRNAs

Abstract When nuclease-treated reticulocyte extracts were programmed with immediate early frog virus 3 mRNAs isolated from infected cells treated with cycloheximide (D. B. Willis and A. Granoff, Virology86, 443–453, 1978), at least five polypeptides were synthesized. Polypeptides made in vitro were identified as authentic viral gene products by partial-digest mapping. We conclude therefore that the immediate early RNAs represent genuine viral mRNAs and are not aberrant transcripts produced in response to cycloheximide.
Conflict of interest policies in science and medical journals: editorial practices and author disclosures.

This study examines the extent to which scientific and biomedical journals have adopted conflict of interest (COI) policies for authors, and whether the adoption and content of such policies leads to the publishing of authors’ financial interest disclosure statements by such journals. In particular, it reports the results of a survey of journal editors about their practices regarding COI disclosures. About 16 percent of 1396 highly ranked scientific and biomedical journals had COI policies in effect during 1997. Less than 1 percent of the articles published during that year in the journals with COI policies contained any disclosures of author personal financial interests while nearly 66 percent of the journals had zero disclosures of author personal financial interests. Nearly three fourths of journal editors surveyed usually publish author disclosure statements suggesting that low rates of personal financial disclosures are either a result of low rates of author financial interest in the subject matter of their publications or poor compliance by authors to the journals’ COI policies.
A method to determine regional mechanical left ventricular dyssynchrony based on high temporal resolution short axis SSFP cine images

Background Left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony has been proposed as a parameter to select patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) [Bax et al JACC 2005]. Several recent studies have shown that placing the LV pacing lead in the most delayed regions yields a better response to CRT [Ansalone et al JACC 2002]. However, most imaging-based methods assess global LV dyssynchrony providing a single value for the entire LV. Regional maps of LV dyssynchrony are required for planning LV lead placement. The objective of this study was to develop a method to create a map of regional left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony based on short-axis SSFP cine images.
Western hemispheric trade agreements and sustainability: Lesson from butterflies, hummingbirds, and salty anchovies

The relationship between international commerce and sustainable development is the subject of much controversy that is exacerbated by geographic boundaries that are co-jointly developed, shaped, and sustained by regional trade agreements. The outcomes of three Americas trade agreements – NAFTA, CAFTA, and USPTPA – are analyzed across three dimensions: economic, ecological, and labor. The three dimensions collectively form for each trade region a specific ECOL niche that is concurrently subject to national variation. We propose and find that low-ECOL niches in the Americas appear to attract more foreign trade with investment. Nevertheless, this tentative finding seems not to hold for those corporations that seek out strong ECOL niche countries like Costa Rica. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Extending the applicability of insulator flashover models by regression analysis

A combination of experiments and regression analysis has been utilized to extend the useful range of models for estimating flashover performance of insulators under contaminated conditions. Experiments were performed on distribution class insulators employing porcelain, silicone rubber and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber as housing materials. It has been shown that it is possible to include important factors such as hydrophobicity, aging and contamination accumulation in the assessment of insulator performance. The results from this work are useful for selecting the appropriate insulator design (dimensions and material) for different system voltages
Fast query execution for retrieval models based on path-constrained random walks

Many recommendation and retrieval tasks can be represented as proximity queries on a labeled directed graph, with typed nodes representing documents, terms, and metadata, and labeled edges representing the relationships between them. Recent work has shown that the accuracy of the widely-used random-walk-based proximity measures can be improved by supervised learning - in particular, one especially effective learning technique is based on Path-Constrained Random Walks (PCRW), in which similarity is defined by a learned combination of constrained random walkers, each constrained to follow only a particular sequence of edge labels away from the query nodes. The PCRW based method significantly outperformed unsupervised random walk based queries, and models with learned edge weights. Unfortunately, PCRW query systems are expensive to evaluate. In this study we evaluate the use of approximations to the computation of the PCRW distributions, including fingerprinting, particle filtering, and truncation strategies. In experiments on several recommendation and retrieval problems using two large scientific publications corpora we show speedups of factors of 2 to 100 with little loss in accuracy.
Characterization of nucleotides and nucleosides by pyrolysis-gas chromatography.

Abstract The characterization of some ribonucleosides and riboncleotides by pyrolysis-gas chromatography is described. The pyrolysis chromotograms are sufficiently distinctive and reproducible to permit the identification and structural characterization of the pyrolyzed compounds. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography is therefore suggested as a means of characterizing fragments produced in the degradation of nucleic acids.
Exploring the external validity of a subjectively weighted utility model of decision making

The purpose of this study was to explore empirically whether in U. S. Karmarkar's (Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 1978, 21, 61–72; 1979, 24, 67–72) Subjectively Weighted Utility (SWU) model of decision making the parameter a can be correctly regarded as a measure of uncertainty about outcome probabilities. According to this interpretation the SWU model predicts that in some situations (.5 < pi < 1.0) decision makers will prefer choice alternatives with the least amount of outcome probability uncertainty, while in other situations (.0 < pi < .5) they will prefer choice alternatives with the greatest amount of outcome probability uncertainty. Subjects made a series of choices about gambles they preferred to play at each of three different estimated probability levels (.8, .5, and .2). At each level, there were two gambles varying in the extent to which they made the subjects uncertain about the probability of winning a monetary prize. Contrary to what the model predicted, the subjects demonstrated a clear preference for playing the less uncertain gamble at each estimated probability level. These findings were discussed in terms of both their implication for the external validity of the SWU model, and their implication for a general understanding of the role of outcome probability uncertainty in decision making.
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO)

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) project, scheduled for initial operation in 2000, aims to detect and study gravitational waves from astrophysical sources by precision interferometry between suspended test bodies over four-kilometer baselines. The required sensitivity, better than 10-18/m, places extreme demands on the performance of the optical systems, especially mirrors and lasers.
PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR THE NATURAL EXCITATION TECHNIQUE (NExT) AND THE EIGENSYSTEM REALIZATION ALGORITHM (ERA) FOR MODAL IDENTIFICATION USING AMBIENT VIBRATION

Modal identification methodologies are used to determine the dynamic characteristics of systems. In structural engineering, these dynamic parameters play an important role in the understanding of the dynamic behavior of bridges, building, and other structures. Modal identification has been used for the verification of structural designs, 1‐4 the study of the reliability of a structure to extreme dynamic loads such as earthquakes or hurricanes,5 and it has been the focus of a large number of structural health monitoring (SHM)6‐11 and model updating techniques. 12‐15 These methodologies can be classified in input‐output and output-only methods. Input‐output methodologies require measuring both, the force exciting the structure and the reaction of the structure to this excitation (i.e., acceleration, strain, displacement, etc.) In contrast, output-only methodologies do not require measuring the forces acting on the structure. In this case, the excitation is assumed stochastic with some specific characteristics.
Assessment of obesity-related comorbidities: A novel scheme for evaluating bariatric surgical patients

Background Bariatric surgery serves as the superior means of achieving sustained weight loss and improvement in obesity-related comorbidities. Results of bariatric surgery have been reported qualitatively without standardized measurement of comorbidity response. The objective of this work was to develop a clinically based, standardized system for scaled assessment of the major comorbidities of obesity in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Study design We constructed a standardized grading scheme for the major comorbidities of obesity, with each condition scored from 0 to 5, according to severity. Data were prospectively collected on 226 patients. Ninety patients have already undergone gastric bypass and are being followed at regular intervals postoperatively. Longest current followup interval is 1 year. Results Preoperative evaluation of comorbidities identified a total of 1,356 medical disorders. Anatomic comorbidities were most prevalent as a category, although psychosocial impairment was the most common single condition. The majority of comorbidities in our patient population were graded mild (score of 1) to moderate (score of 3). Immediate (2 weeks) followup was available for all operated patients and ranged in number to 1 year postoperatively, depending on the date of operation. Statistically significant reduction in the severity of several comorbidities was observed at postoperative evaluation (p Conclusions This scheme for assessment of obesity-related comorbidities facilitates evaluation of bariatric surgical patients. The system allows standardized preoperative characterization of a bariatric patient population and uniform postoperative longitudinal assessment of changes in comorbidities after weight reduction operation.
Behavioral versus genetic measures of fitness in bison bulls (Bison bison)

Accurate measures of fitness are important for both basic research on sexual selection and applied conservation actions to promote genetic diversity. For polygynous mammals, good estimates of male reproductive success are often critically important, but especially difficult to obtain. Because the genetic contribution of males is impossible to directly measure in the field, investigators have developed surrogate measures of fitness based on behavioral observations. Such measures are founded on the assumption that observed mating success can reliably predict reproductive success, yet only a few studies have been in a position to validate the accuracy of this assumption. We studied the bison herd at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge for 8 years, conducting intensive behavioral observations on breeding behavior during the rut (2003–2009) and collecting tissue samples of calves born the following year (2004–2010) for genetic paternity analysis. Our results reveal 2 major trends also observed in other studies: Estimates of mating success were positively correlated with reproductive success when we pooled the entire herd across age classes or years. However, copulatory success did a poor job of predicting the actual number of offspring sired by individual males. For example, 44% of observed matings did not result in the birth of offspring, and 60% of the copulations that did produce a calf did not accurately predict the sire bull. Generalized linear mixed model analysis revealed that observation of mating by a given bull in itself had no predictive power regarding likelihood of paternity, whereas total copulations per season, dominance status, and age of bull or dam significantly influenced the probability of siring offspring. Although use of behavioral data was unable to predict the sire for particular cows, it did give insights into patterns of reproductive success that use of genetic data alone could not provide, such as the role of alternate mating strategies and sperm competition for male reproductive success. We conclude that both behavioral and genetic measures of fitness are needed to understand sexual selection and meet the challenges faced by species of conservation concern.
Adaptive skin meshes coarsening for biomolecular simulation

In this paper, we present efficient algorithms for generating hierarchical molecular skin meshes with decreasing size and guaranteed quality. Our algorithms generate a sequence of coarse meshes for both the surfaces and the bounded volumes. Each coarser surface mesh is adaptive to the surface curvature and maintains the topology of the skin surface with guaranteed mesh quality. The corresponding tetrahedral mesh is conforming to the interface surface mesh and contains high quality tetrahedra that decompose both the interior of the molecule and the surrounding region (enclosed in a sphere). Our hierarchical tetrahedral meshes have a number of advantages that will facilitate fast and accurate multigrid PDE solvers. Firstly, the quality of both the surface triangulations and tetrahedral meshes is guaranteed. Secondly, the interface in the tetrahedral mesh is an accurate approximation of the molecular boundary. In particular, all the boundary points lie on the skin surface. Thirdly, our meshes are Delaunay meshes. Finally, the meshes are adaptive to the geometry.
Terahertz Pioneer: Philippe Goy “If You Agree With the Majority, You Might be Wrong”

Recounts the professional achievements of terahertz pioneer Philippe Goy. Philippe ranked his most important subjects as Art, Literature and Science in stated order, with Politics down at the very bottom. His lovely photographs, his six science fiction stories, and his general writings attest to his breath as a creative person. Dr. Goy has always enjoyed working things out for himself, and thinking about problems in ways that do not necessarily follow the crowd. A favorite quote is "If you agree with the majority, you might be wrong."
Signalment changes in canine leptospirosis between 1970 and 2009.

Background Previous studies have identified large breed, male, outdoor dogs of herding or working groups to be at increased risk for Leptospira infection. Exposure risk factors may change over time, altering the signalment of dogs most commonly diagnosed with leptospirosis. Objectives The objectives of this study were to evaluate possible signalment changes by decade in canine leptospirosis cases diagnosed at university veterinary hospitals in the United States and Canada using reports to the Veterinary Medical DataBase (VMDB) over a 40-year period (1970–2009). Animals One thousand and ninety-one dogs with leptospirosis diagnosed among 1,659,146 hospital visits. Methods Hospital prevalence of leptospirosis by decade was determined by age, sex, weight, and breed groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were created to evaluate the association between variables and the odds of disease for each decade. Results Veterinary Medical DataBase hospital prevalence of leptospirosis in dogs, after a marked decrease in the 1970s and low rates in the 1980s, began increasing in the 1990s. Hospital prevalence significantly increased in dogs between 2 and 9.9 years of age (P < .05) and in male dogs (P < .05) in each decade since the 1980s. Among weight groups in the most recent decade (2000–2009), dogs weighing <15 pounds had the greatest odds of being diagnosed with leptospirosis (P = .003). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Hospital prevalence rates by age, weight, sex, and breed groups differed by decade. These changes may reflect changes in exposure risk, Leptospira vaccination practices for dogs, or both.
A Genomic and Expression Compendium of the Expanded PEBP Gene Family from Maize

The phosphatidylethanolamine-binding proteins (PEBPs) represent an ancient protein family found across the biosphere. In animals they are known to act as kinase and serine protease inhibitors controlling cell growth and differentiation. In plants the most extensively studied PEBP genes, the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and TERMINAL FLOWER1 (TFL1) genes, function, respectively, as a promoter and a repressor of the floral transition. Twenty-five maize (Zea mays) genes that encode PEBP-like proteins, likely the entire gene family, were identified and named Zea mays CENTRORADIALIS (ZCN), after the first described plant PEBP gene from Antirrhinum. The maize family is expanded relative to eudicots (typically six to eight genes) and rice (Oryza sativa; 19 genes). Genomic structures, map locations, and syntenous relationships with rice were determined for 24 of the maize ZCN genes. Phylogenetic analysis assigned the maize ZCN proteins to three major subfamilies: TFL1-like (six members), MOTHER OF FT AND TFL1-like (three), and FT-like (15). Expression analysis demonstrated transcription for at least 21 ZCN genes, many with developmentally specific patterns and some having alternatively spliced transcripts. Expression patterns and protein structural analysis identified maize candidates likely having conserved gene function of TFL1. Expression patterns and interaction of the ZCN8 protein with the floral activator DLF1 in the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) two-hybrid assay strongly supports that ZCN8 plays an orthologous FT function in maize. The expression of other ZCN genes in roots, kernels, and flowers implies their involvement in diverse developmental processes.
Antibodies for methanogenic biotechnology

Abstract Antibody probes have been developed for identifying methanogens in complex microbial mixtures including those found in fermenters. Identification is accomplished by a set of complementary micromethods each requiring 10 μl sample and all carried out on small circular reaction areas on a single glass-slide designed for immunologic testing, differential staining and microscopic examination of microbes.
Evolution without evolution: Dynamics described by stationary observables

Because the time parameter in the Schr\"odinger equation is not observable, energy apparently obeys a superselection rule in the same sense that charge does. That is, observables must all commute with the Hamiltonian and hence be stationary. This means that it is consistent with all observations to assume that any closed system such as the Universe is in a stationary state. We show how the observed dynamic evolution of a system can be described entirely in terms of stationary observables as a dependence upon internal clock readings.
Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Georgia-grown Blueberries and Blackberries

Blueberries and blackberries grown at various locations in Georgia were collected and analyzed for flavonoids, total anthocyanins, total polyphenols, and Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). Each sample was analyzed for phenolic acids (gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and ellagic acid) and flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol). A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with photodiode array detection was used for analysis. Compounds were analyzed as aglycons after acid hydrolysis with 1.2 M HCl. Identification of each compound was based on retention time and UV spectra by comparison with pure commercial standards. Phenolic acids ranged from 0.19 to 258.90 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW), and flavonoids ranged from 2.50 to 387.48 mg/100 g FW. Total polyphenols ranged from 261.95 to 929.62 mg/100 g FW, and total anthocyanins ranged from 12.70 to 197.34 mg/100 g FW. TEAC values varied from 8.11 to a maximum of 38.29 μM/g FW....
Ascorbic acid catalyzed hydrolysis of phosphate esters.

Abstract The preliminary semiquantitative report of Hansson and Rasmusson (1) of ascorbic acid catalyzed hydrolysis of phenyl phosphate was confirmed and placed on a quantitative basis by detailed kinetic studies. It was demonstrated that this is a small effect with dilute buffered solutions. A greater rate of enhancement was noted with glucose 1-phosphate, where ascorbic acid was found to lower the activation enthalpy and entropy from 24.8 ± 0.2 to 22.6 ± 0.1 kcal/mole and −13.3 ± 0.6 to −19.1 ± 0.3 eu, respectively. In this case, the ratio of the ascorbic acid catalyzed to the uncatalyzed hydrolysis at 37° would be 2.4, and could be of analytical importance. The possible biological importance of these observations is unknown.
Influence of Age on the Fatty Acid Composition of Breast and Thigh Muscles of Male Turkeys

Large White male turkeys were sacrificed at 4-week intervals from 4 to 28 weeks of age to study the fatty acid distribution in lipid of breast and thigh muscles. A total of 70 turkeys were sampled for this experiment.Fatty acid distribution varied with advancing maturity and between muscle types. The most abundant fatty acids in the tissues were those with carbon chain lengths of 15:0, 16:0, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, 20:4 and 24:0. Thigh muscle contained significantly more linoleate (18:2) than did breast. Larger proportions of pentadecanoic (15:0), arachidonic (20:4) and lignoceric (24:0), however, appeared in breast. Indications of minor fatty acids appeared on the chromatograms, but their low concentrations made their estimation and identification difficult.
Probabilistic Fatigue Failure Analysis of a Railroad Freight Car

SUMMARY The critical components of railroad fraight cars are subjected to fluctuating stresses and, therefore, vulnerable to fatigue damage. These fluctuating stresses result from different motions of the car when it travels along a track and is subjected to various track irregularities. Both the track irregularities and corresponding motions are highly random. Therefore, the fatigue damage can only be determined by means of a percentage probability level. This paper describes a probability-based method for evaluating fatigue damage in a freight car. The effect of uncertain boundary conditions for the car in the calculations of fatigue damage is also discussed. The applications of the method to carbody design and assessment of fatigue life are also explained
Comparison of methods of scattering from two potentials

Several approximations to multiple scattering are compared with an exact calculation. The model chosen for comparison is scattering from two Gaussian potentials of range 0.5 fm and depth 16 ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. Particular attention is paid to the case of overlapping potentials. It is shown that, of all approximations considered, only the separable potential method is capable of giving good agreement in this region. It is demonstrated that a separable potential can always be chosen to give the exact answer for multiple scattering in the case in which the (spherically symmetric) interaction regions are nonoverlapping as well as when the interaction regions are concentric.
Why Sociology Abandoned Communication

This paper considers the possibility that early sociological interest in the integrative role of mass communication may have been undermined (1) by the short-run study of media “campaigns,” and the declaration that such persuasive efforts have only “limited effect”; (2) by the wrangling over theories of “mass society”; and (3) by a quasi-journalistic emphasis on “media events.” In spite of the theoretical basis for reconciling these traditions, the rift over the academic locus of communications research has not been repaired.
A comparative analysis of the photobiology of zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae symbiotic with the temperate clonal anemone Anthopleura elegantissima (Brandt)

The temperate anemone Anthopleura elegantissima hosts two phylogenetically different symbiotic microalgae, a dinoflagellate Symbiodinium (zooxanthellae, ZX) and a chlorophyte (zoochlorellae, ZC), throughout certain regions of its latitudinal range. Because of the broad intertidal and geographic range of this anemone, we examined the role of irradiance to ascertain which specific symbiotic parameters are affected and whether light intensity governs the observed distributions of natural populations of ZX and ZC. Irradiance appears to be a key factor in regulating both the photophysiology and metabolism of this alga–cnidarian association. Regardless of light intensity, algal densities remained stable for anemones harboring ZX or ZC, whereas the mitotic indices of ZX and ZC both varied directly with light intensity. The chlorophyll content of ZX remained fairly constant regardless of irradiance; in contrast, ZC chlorophyll content was inversely proportional to light intensity. Regardless of irradiance, the carotenoid content of both symbionts was constant; however, ZX carotenoid levels were higher than those of ZC. Net photosynthesis was directly related to light intensity for both algal symbionts and ZX photosynthetic rates were consistently higher than those of ZC. Similarly, the potential carbon contribution of ZX and ZC to animal respiration (CZAR) displayed a direct relationship with light intensity, peaking at 800 µmol·m–2·s–1, then subsequently declined. Lower ZX growth rates, coupled with higher photosynthetic rates and higher CZAR estimates, compared to ZC, suggest that the ZX should be the dominant symbiont as light intensity increases; this may explain the high densities of anemones in the field containing ZX where the levels of irradiance are naturally high. These results support the interpretation that irradiance is a significant environmental parameter that dictates the microhabitat and latitudinal distribution of the two symbiotic algal taxa. This is the second in a series of papers examining the physical parameters that influence the distribution of ZX- and ZC-bearing A. elegantissima.
Creationism in the United States II. The Aftermath of the Scopes Trial.

T HE Scopes trial, which was started for economic reasons and fostered for political ones, ended abruptly on 21 July 1925 with the conviction of John Scopes (see Figure 1 above). On the day after the verdict, The Dayton Herald (Tennessee) ran. a simple headline: "Jury Retums Verdict of 'Guilty' in Scopes Case." The accompanying story summarized many of the events associated with the trial, which it described as "a world-watched, nation-wide drama" that was "the bitterest legal battle ever waged in the United States."'l As Scopes helped visitors leave Dayton, legislator-tumed-corespondent John Butler (who had written the anti-evolution statute for which Scopes was convicted) reported that (de Camp 1968):
Surface treatment and porosity control of porous silica microspheres

Porous silica microspheres (PSM) have been treated with ammonium bifluoride to adjust porosity, pore size, remove surface impurities, and minimize surface acidity. The porosities of four silicas having mean pore diameters ranging from 150 to 750 A have been altered from initial values to the point at which the mechanical strength is insufficient to allow packed columns with acceptable performance. It is shown that a linear relationship exists between a change in porosity and the relative amount of ammonium bifluoride used to treat the silica. This reagent removes silica homogeneously from all pores in a given microsphere in a controllable and predictable manner. This treatment increases the peak capacity and improves chromatographic performance. The surfaces of treated silicas were probed with thiamine in the ion-exchange chromatographic mode. The slopes and intercepts of plots in which retention is plotted against the reciprocal of buffer concentration were both significantly reduced indicating that surface acidity is minimized by this treatment.
Circulating nitrite/nitrate levels increase with follicular development: indirect evidence for estradiol mediated NO release.

Ovarian dysfunction as well as impaired release of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. Estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women has a cardioprotective effect. Hence, using follicular development (FD) phase of the menstrual cycle of normal women (n = 7) and of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (n = 16), we tested whether ovarian/sex hormones modulate NO-release. Levels of nitrite/nitrate (stable metabolites of NO), 17β-estradiol (E), progesterone (P), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in serum collected during FD-phase. Serum nitrite/nitrate levels increased (p .05). Post-ovulatory increase in P and LH levels decreased serum nitrite/nitrate levels (p < .05), even in presence of high E levels. In conclusion, nitrite/nitrate increase with follicular development, an effect that is potentially mediated by E induced NO release.
Vitamin D receptor signaling of monocytic differentiation in human leukemia cells: role of MAPK pathways in transcription factor activation.

Among the many important physiological functions of the activated vitamin D receptor (VDR) is the signaling of monocytic differentiation, first demonstrated by conversion of malignant myeloid leukemia cells to nonproliferating cells with mature monocyte/macrophage appearance. However, the understanding of how 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) signals monocytic differentiation is still developing. Recent advances summarized here include the role of the principal mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, their potential downstream target the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBP β), cell cycle related proteins, and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in 1,25D-induced differentiation. The precise steps by which activated VDR signals differentiation are incompletely understood in any of the cell types known to respond to 1,25D. We have focused our studies on HL60 cells, a widely available cell line derived from a patient with promyeloblastic leukemia, with the goal of achieving as clear a picture as possible with the currently available tools. In this model, outlined in Fig. 1, a plausible sequence of events is presented, with the caveats that these are not the only pathways activated by liganded VDR, and that several other pathways, also operative, remain to be convincingly demonstrated. The details of the scheme will be discussed in the sections below.
Evaluating Price Enhancement by Processing Cooperatives

Section 2 of the Capper-Volstead Act requires the secretary of agriculture to determine whether a cooperative has unduly enhanced its prices. There has been no consensus about what level of price enhancement is too high. This paper contrasts pricing of cooperative and proprietary brands of differentiated food products. Empirical evidence indicates that market share and advertising do not generally provide cooperatives any more power to enhance prices than they give proprietary firms. The paper suggests a standard for undue price enhancement, the predicted price level of proprietary brands in similarly structured markets.
Transnational Gender Studies and the Migrating Concept of Gender in the Middle East and North Africa

This article is an attempt to capture aspects of ramifying networks that are transporting the fluid concept of `gender'. Assuming that transnationality is a central feature in diasporic contexts, how does it manifest itself in diasporic practices? If one of these practices is knowledge production, then what are the processes of migrating epistemologies and how are these gendered? This begs the question of whether or not gender is still an important site from which to view the fluid phenomena of postcolonial/transnational processes or if the contemporary valences of transnationalism require, instead, a fluid gendering of the contemporary categories of empire that operate differently through space. By reading the transnational through the local, with particular reference to Ahfad University for Women (Sudan), the article interrogates the ways concepts of women/gender and feminist ideas travel across boundaries and how these concepts are changed in the process.