cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution of neurons expressing calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNAs in the brain stem, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of rat and guinea-pig.

Abstract In situ hybridization histochemistry was used to localize calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNAs in spinal cord, brain stem and dorsal root ganglion neurons of the rat and guinea-pig. A 32 P-labeled 23-base-long (23mer) oligodeoxyribonucleotide (oligomer) complementary to calcitonin generelated peptide mRNA sequences encoding residues 23–30 of calcitonin gene-related peptide was used primarily as a probe (CGRP I probe). A 32mer complementary to mRNA sequences for residues 10–20 of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP II probe) was also used as a positive control for specificity of the 23mer for calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA. In both the guinea-pig and rat calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA was localized specifically to neurons of the dorsal root ganglion, to spinal motoneurons and to motoneurons of the hypoglossal, facial and accessory facial motor nuclei. Differences in the distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA between the rat and guinea-pig included a higher proportion of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons containing calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA and the localization of calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA to motoneurons of the ambiguus motor nucleus, parabrachial and peripeduncular nucleus of the rat but not the guinea-pig. In the guinea-pig, in contrast, calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA was localized also to motoneurons of the abducens, trigeminal, trochlear and oculomotor nerves. The neuronal groups in the intact rat found here to contain calcitonin gene-related mRNA have also been shown previously to contain calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity in colchicine-treated rats. Colchicine-treated rats, however, have been found to contain additional groups of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive neurons which, in the intact rats used in the present study, showed no detectable hybridization with the calcitonin gene-related peptide probe.
Effect of body mass index on the risk of anal incontinence and defecatory dysfunction in women.

Objective The primary objective was to estimate the effect of body mass index on the risk of anal incontinence and defecatory dysfunction in a tertiary referral urogynecologic population. Study Design This was a cross-sectional study, including 519 new patients. Exposure was defined as body mass index. The primary outcome was any reported anal incontinence. The secondary outcome was any defecatory dysfunction. We used multiple logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the effect of body mass index on anal incontinence and defecatory dysfunction. Results After adjusting for confounders, every 5 unit increase in body mass index was associated with a significantly increased odds of anal incontinence (odds ratio 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.09 to 1.44) and a trend toward an increased odds of defecatory dysfunction (odds ratio 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.98 to 1.31), although this was not statistically significant. Conclusion Increasing body mass index is significantly associated with anal incontinence, but not defecatory dysfunction in women.
Multi‐functional plasmacytoid dendritic cells redistribute to gut tissues during simian immunodeficiency virus infection

The objective of this study was to determine the systemic effects of chronic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). pDCs play a critical role in antiviral immunity, but current data are conflicting on whether pDCs inhibit HIV/SIV replication, or, alternatively, contribute to chronic immune activation and disease. Furthermore, previous pDC studies have been complicated by incomplete descriptions of generalized depletion during HIV/SIV infection, and the effects of infection on pDCs outside peripheral blood remain unclear. In scheduled-sacrifice studies of naive and chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques we evaluated the distribution and functionality of pDCs in multiple tissues using surface and intracellular polychromatic flow cytometry. As previously observed, pDCs were reduced in peripheral blood and spleens, but were also depleted in non-lymphoid organs such as the liver. Interestingly, pDCs accumulated up to fourfold in jejunum, colon and gut-draining lymph nodes, but not in peripheral lymph nodes. Most unexpectedly, SIV infection induced a multi-functional interferon-α, tumour necrosis factor-α, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β cytokine secretion phenotype, whereas in normal animals these were generally distinct and separate functions. Herein we show a systemic redistribution of pDCs to gut tissues and gut-draining lymph nodes during chronic SIV infection, coupled to a novel multi-functional cytokine-producing phenotype. While pDC accumulation in the mucosa could aid in virus control, over-production of cytokines from these cells could also contribute to the increased immune activation in the gut mucosa commonly associated with progressive lentivirus infections.
Prevention of Disseminated Penicillium marneffei in human immunodeficiency virus-infected Travelers.

To the Editor: Antinori and colleagues presented a case of disseminated Penicillium marneffei acquired in Thailand in an individual with advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who presented in Italy and they provided an excellent review of P marneffei cases presenting outside of endemic areas. 1 They reviewed cases reported between 1998 and December 2004; therefore, their review did not identify an additional case of disseminated P marneffei , which developed in an individual with advanced AIDS who had traveled for 6 weeks throughout Southeast Asia and which was …
Abstract 3040: Forced astroglial differentiation depletes glioblastoma stem cells

Glioblastoma are among the least curable cancers in man, at least in part because of stem-like cellular subpopulations (herein referred to as glioma stem cells, GSC) refractory to current therapies. The cancer stem cell hypothesis suggests that tumor cells are organized in a pyramidal unidirectional differentiation cascade with GSC at the top and functionally defined by the ability to self-renew and initiate tumors identical to the original tumors from which they are derived. GSCs are maintained by both cell intrinsic and microenvironmental factors and conditions. In this study we focused on identifying potential small molecules which may target tumor heterogeneity by promoting differentiation of GSC into less aggressive, more differentiated subpopulations. To this end, we have developed reporter models for astroglial and neuronal differentiation in HSR-GBM1, HSR040622 and HSR040821 tumor-derived, GSC-enriched, neurospheres lines, using lineage-specific reporter constructs. We employed these reporter lines to screen a library of over 600 bioactive small molecules for potential inducers of GSC differentiation. We identified several molecules which significantly induce astroglial differentiation in multiple GSC-enriched lines. We focus in this report on one of these inhibitors (AD1 = Astroglial Differentiation-1) which induces astroglial differentiation by over 20 to 30-fold as compared with DMSO control. In addition, AD1 treatment resulted in a 40-60% reduction in cell growth in HSR-GBM1, 60% in HSR040622, and 40% reduction in HSR040821, as determined by direct cell counting. As differentiation should result in reduced self-renewal capacity, we next determined the effect of AD1 on sphere formation using the extreme limited dilution assay (ELDA). We found that AD1 significantly reduced clonogenic capacity of HSR-GBM1 reporter line by over 90%. These data strongly suggest that AD1-induced astroglial differentiation may be the cause for the reduced clonogenic capacity. We are currently determining the plasticity of the system in term of reversal of the differentiation state in vitro and in vivo. Our results support the therapeutic value of a drug-induced differentiation and define how differentiation affects the GSC compartment in glioma. Citation Format: Raffaella Spina, Dillon M. Voss, Andrew E. Sloan, Eli E. Bar. Forced astroglial differentiation depletes glioblastoma stem cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3040. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3040
Miospore biostratigraphy of the Lower Mississippian clastics of the Michigan Basin, USA

Abstract Two moderately diverse, moderately abundant miospore assemblages are recorded from the Lower Mississippian Coldwater Shale and Marshall Sandstone of the Michigan Basin. The microfloral assemblage from the older Coldwater Shale is similar to assemblages of the Spelaeotriletes balteatus – Rugospora polyptycha Biozone of western Europe. This biozone is generally absent from North America. The overlying Marshall Sandstone has a miospore assemblage representative of the oldest Osagean Spelaeotriletes pretiosus – Raistrickia clavata Biozone of western Europe. Identification of these assemblages indicates the presence of the Kinderhookian–Osagean boundary within or between the two clastic units. The identification of this boundary has important stratigraphical and sedimentological implications for age relations with Lower Mississippian rocks in adjacent basins and also provides information on regional sedimentology and depositional patterns.
Bacteriology of the Lower Respiratory Tract as Determined by Fiber-Optic Bronchoscopy and Transtracheal Aspiration

For assessment of the validity of cultures of tracheobronchial secretions and exudates (TBSE) obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy, the aerobic and anaerobic flora of expectorated saliva and TBSE obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy from nine healthy volunteers and eight patients were compared with those obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy as well). Normal volunteers yielded both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in amounts usually less than 104.5 colony-forming units (cfu)/ml in TBSE obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. In patients with chronic bronchitis, 42 isolates of aerobic bacteria (104-105.5 cfu/ml) and only 10 isolates of anaerobes (usually less than 104 cfu/ml) were reovered from 15 samples obtained by trantracheal aspiration. The data lead to the conclusion that low-level contamination (less than or equal to 104 cfu/ml) with oral flora is common in TBSE obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy. A single potential pathogen in numbers of greater than or equal to 105 cfu/ml may be of etiologic significance, particularly if recovered from purulent drainage material from a localized portion of the lung. Under circumstances in which quantitative bacteriology cannot be done, TBSE obtained by transtracheal aspiration will most reliably reflect the bacterial flora present in the lung.
Studies on Plasmodium ookinetes. 1. Isolation and concentration from mosquito midguts.

SYNOPSIS. In a method for isolating a relatively clean suspension of concentrated Plasmodium berghei ookinetes from infected midguts of Anopheles stephensi at appropriate times after the infective blood meal, the ookinetes are freed from the midguts by enzymatic digestion, and then concentrated by means of a BSA/renografin gradient. The mean number of ookinetes recovered/midgut was 152. More than 95% of the recovered ookinetes were viable by the criteria of motility, incorporation of adenosine and leucine, and appearance on light and electron microscopic examination. Trypan blue exclusion was not a valid criterion for viability. These ookinetes were not useful for in vitro studies of further development due to the presence of contaminating microorganisms. Our attempts to determine their potential for further development in vivo have similarly not been successful. Nevertheless, our ability to obtain large numbers of ookinetes at defined times during development now permits further studies on their structure, biochemistry, and physiology, as well as comparison with ookinetes formed in vitro.
DO FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS IMPROVE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY?

ABSTRACT:This study examines the changes in neighborhood quality in communities where low-income buyers have recently purchased homes. Three questions are addressed: Do lower-income buyers buy in higher quality neighborhoods than the ones in which they rented? Are lower-income buyers locating in higher quality neighborhoods than a comparison group of continuing renters? Are the neighborhoods of new buyers improving or deteriorating relative to those of continuing renters? Results of an analysis of a sample of persons who graduated from home buyer education classes in eight cities indicate that home buyers located in neighborhoods that were similar in quality to those in which they rented. Continuing renters in the sample, however, improved the quality of the neighborhoods between the first and second surveys, while home buyers did not. Finally, while the neighborhoods to which new buyers moved are improving, they are doing so at a slower rate than both the neighborhoods from which they moved and those of ...
Silent Idylls, Double Lives: Sex and the City in Salvador Novo's La estatua de sal

Salvador Novo9s autobiography, La estatua de sal, documents the author9s life in the 1920s and details with surprising openness his experiences in the homosexual subculture of Mexico City. This article analyzes how La estatua de sal also suggests that urban life contributed to Novo9s process of identity formation in complex ways that draw together his sexual awakening with other aspects of modern culture. La autobiografiia de Salvador Novo, La estatua de sal, documenta la vida del autor durante los annos veinte y detalla con sorprendente franqueza sus experiencias en la subcultura homosexual de la Ciudad de Meexico. Este artiiculo analiza coomo La estatua de sal tambieen sugiere que la vida urbana contribuyoo al proceso identitario de Novo de una manera compleja en que su abertura sexual se articula con otros aspectos de la modernidad cultural.
The early days of hemostasis in neurosurgery

Two key discoveries in the 19th century--infection control and the development of general anesthesia--provided an impetus for the rapid advancement of surgery, especially within the field of neurosurgery. Yet the field of neurosurgery would not have existed in the modern sense without the development and advancement of techniques in hemostasis. Improvement in intraoperative hemostasis came more gradually but was no less important to enhancing neurosurgical outcomes. The history of hemostasis in neurosurgery is often overlooked. Herein, the authors briefly review the historical progression of hemostatic techniques since the beginning of the early modern era of neurosurgery.
A Review of the Ergonomic Issues in the Laparoscopic Operating Room

This review paper discusses the ergonomic challenges associated with laparoscopy in the operating room (OR) and summarizes the practical ergonomic solutions. The literature search was conducted in the fields of laparoscopy and applied ergonomics. Findings indicated that laparoscopic OR staff (surgeons, perioperative nurses and technicians) commonly experienced physical and mental ergonomic risks while working in prolonged static and awkward body positions. This study highlighted the need for more ergonomic interventions in OR environment in order to improve the efficiency of laparoscopy. Ergonomic solutions included utilizing adjustable equipment, placing computer peripherals in optimal locations, providing ergonomic instruments, and improving communication. Understanding the job- or task-related ergonomic risks and hazards could help identify intervention requirements to meet the challenges associated with increased dependency on advanced high technology in the OR.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Yeasts: a Turbidimetric Technique Independent of Inoculum Size

Abstract The current development of potent antifungal drugs necessitates reliable methods of in vitro susceptibility testing of clinical isolates. Other laboratories have noted with some antimicrobials that conventional tube dilution visual end points for determining minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) vary markedly with the inoculum. With seven isolates (four species) we compared the conventional method with one developed with a spectrophotometer. Yeasts were diluted to inocula of 102 to 105 cells/ml and incubated at 37°C with 5-fluorocytosine or miconazole or without drug in a synthetic defined medium. At frequent intervals MICs were determined by the lowest drug concentration without visible turbidity. Concurrently, the percent transmission of each tube was measured and an inhibitory concentration (IC½) was calculated from the turbidimetric measurements. MICs of both drugs for all strains varied with the inoculum. Intrastrain differences averaged 128-fold for miconazole and greater than 8-fold with 5-fluorocytosine. This variability in MIC occurred when readings were made after 12 to 48 h of incubation. In contrast, IC½ values of all isolates varied less than two-fold with the same range of inocula. Most isolates showed this independence when measured at 48 h. Fast-growing yeasts showed greater IC½ variability unless the turbidimetric measurements were taken earlier while the drug-free growth was still in a rapid growth phase. This method is reproducible, inoculum independent, rapid, free from subjectivity and observer variability, and suitable for adaptation to a clinical setting.
When Land Was Cheap, and Labor Dear: James Madison's ‘Address to the Albemarle Agricultural Society’ and the Problem of Southern Agricultural Reform

James Madison's 1818 Address to the Albemarle Agricultural Society offers new insight into the diverse historiography of agricultural reform in the American South. Madison described a planet with limited resources, accused Virginia farmers of wasting what little they had, and offered suggestions for ways to intensify cultivation. Many scholars have analyzed the southern agricultural reform crusade, but differ widely on whether it was successful, and the reasons why. Madison tried to balance high farming with southern independence. Southern farming could not imitate modern agriculture from England and the Northeastern states because of the region's ecological distinctiveness. Madison was reluctant to risk tested adaptations by importing to crops, animals, and fertilizers. Southern farmers reflected his ecological conservatism, and the movement for reform stalled.
Influence of Hexazinone on Pensacola Bahiagrass Growth and Crude Protein Content

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) is the most widely used introduced forage in Florida, due to its persistence and productivity on low fertility soils. Hexazinone [3-cyclohexyl-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione], the only herbicide labeled for small and giant smutgrass [Sporobolus indicus (L.) R. Br. and S. indicus (L.) R. Br. var. pyramidalis (P. Beauv.) Veldkamp] control in pastures, may impact bahiagrass biomass production and crude protein (CP) content. Field experiments were conducted at two locations in 2005 and 2006 to determine the impact of hexazinone on pure stands of'Pensacola' bahiagrass biomass accumulation and CP content. Hexazinone was applied at 0, 0.28, 0.56, 1.12 and 2.24 kg ai ha -1 in July of each year to actively growing bahiagrass. Hexazinone was observed to reduce bahiagrass overall biomass accumulation, but the severity of bahiagrass injury varied depending on year and location. Generally, little or no reduction in biomass accumulation occurred from hexazinone applied at 0.28 or 0.56 kg ha -1 . However, hexazinone applied at the recommended use rate of 1.12 kg ha -1 resulted in 9 to 38% less dry matter accumulation relative to the untreated 84 d after treatment (DAT). At Gainesville, hexazinone did not consistently affect CP content of bahiagrass in either year. At the Ona location, CP generally increased with the application of hexazinone in both years. Crude protein was observed to increase by approximately 16 to 21% when hexazinone was applied at 1.12 kg ha -1 . These data show that hexazinone application results in reduced bahiagrass production, without reducing crude protein content.
Two studies of the effects of linguistic diversity upon judgments of communicator attributes and message effectiveness

The authors conducted two studies on the effects of high and low linguistic diversity upon judgments of communicator attributes and message effectiveness. Generally, the first study demonstrated that low linguistic diversity negatively affects listeners’ evaluative judgments. These effects were independent of medium of presentation (oral vs. written) and of perceived situational formality (high vs. low). The second study demonstrated that the effects obtained in the previous study were produced by lexical diversity; differences in syntactic diversity were not related to differences in listeners’ judgments.
Heart-rate effects on canine left-ventricular end-diastolic compliance measured by two-dimensional ultrasound.

Abstract Despite recent interest in left ventricular (LV) compliance during open-heart surgery, the effect of heart rate (HR) remains unclear due to technical limitations of previous studies. In the presence of Formalin-induced complete atrioventricular (AV) block, AV sequentially paced heart rate was varied between 100, 125, and 150 beats/min in eight dogs on cardiopulmonary bypass. The heart was cradled in an open pericardial well filled with ultrasound-conducting gel. LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was varied over 0–20 mm Hg by flow regulation in the bypass circuit. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) was calculated from three orthogonal two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiographic sections using Simpson's rule. Exponential curves derived from the relation LVEDP = ke ( b ×LVEDV) demonstrated a small, but significant increase in the mean exponential constants ( b = 0.034, 0.037, and 0.049 at HR 100, 125, and 150, respectively) reflecting progressive stiffening with increasing heart rate. However, mean overall pressure-volume relations were not significantly altered when analyzed in four separate intervals of LVEDP. It is concluded that although LV volume determinations with 2-D echocardiography demonstrate a steady trend toward decreased end-diastolic LV compliance with increasing rate, this change is so small as to make heart rate a minor determinant of observed intraoperative compliance changes.
Transesophageal Echocardiographic Findings in Primary Leiomyoma of Inferior Vena Cava

We describe for the first time the usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography for the identification of a primary leiomyoma of the inferior vena cava, which originated near its junction with the right atrium. A portion of the tumor was initially visualized in the right atrium during a transthoracic echocardiographic study, but its attachment in the inferior vena cava was evident only by transesophageal echocardiography using the transgastric approach. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 10, November 1993)
Tidal observations near an amphidrome

The signal to noise ratio in tidal data in the diurnal and semidiurnal frequency bands is ordinarily so large that the noise contribution to the tidal harmonic constants is unimportant. However, as the observational locations are selected progressively closer to an amphidrome (point of no tide), the signal to noise ratio decreases, making the tidal harmonic constants less dependable. Standard deviations in amplitude of M2 and S2 obtained from 12 29-day analyses of a year of tide data obtained at a standard tide station, estimated to be 280 and 550 km away from the amphidromes for these constituents in the eastern Caribbean, are roughly one-third of the mean amplitudes for these constituents; the standard deviations in epoch are 38° and 30° respectively. Therefore, a program to locate an amphidrome precisely is self-defeating and the location can only be approximated by a grid of tide observations spanning the geographic position and/or by longer series of observations, using higher resolution to increase the signal to noise ratio. Amplitudes of 0.64 cm and 1.24 cm were calculated for M2 and S2 from a one-month series of pelagic observations obtained very close to an inferred position of the M2 amphidrome in the northeast Caribbean Sea.
Controlling Organized Crime: A Critique of Law Enforcement Policy:

Despite recent claims by federal law enforcement officials, efforts to reduce the level of organized crime have not met with success. This is the case because policy makers and the law enforcement ...
Reflecting on Research for Doctoral Students in Education

This response to the theme issue, Research for Doctoral Students in Education, argues that the continua presented in the articles fail to legitimize practitioner research, that is, research done by school practitioners on site. Issues relating to differences in rigor, status, and purpose between practitioner and other research are discussed.
A Modification of the Production Function for Transition Economies Reflecting the Role of Institutional Factors

This paper constructs an institutional index of transition (IIT) for the FSU countries, estimates their statistics on output, capital stock, and employment, incorporates the IIT into the neoclassical production function, and estimates the modifications of the production function with effects of explanatory variables varying across countries. The IIT is based on the EBRD transition indicators but differs from the indicators' average annual value in that it incorporates the private sector share of GDP. Using panel data and building production function modifications with common and country-specific effects, the following hypotheses were tested: quantitative changes in production factors affect all FSU countries in a similar way, the impact of the IIT varies across countries, initial conditions are significant in transition, and the estimators are not sensitive to data fluctuations.
Discontinuous Discretization for Least-Squares Formulation of Singularly Perturbed Reaction-Diffusion Problems in One and Two Dimensions

In this paper, we consider the singularly perturbed reaction-diffusion problem in one and two dimensions. The boundary value problem is decomposed into a first-order system to which a suitable weighted least-squares formulation is proposed. A robust, stable, and efficient approach is developed based on local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) discretization for the weak form. Uniform error estimates are derived. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the method and the theoretical results. Comparison studies are made between the proposed method and other methods.
My daughter the terrorist, Sari soldiers, and Leila Khaled: Hijacker

My daughter the terrorist, by Beate Arnestad, Norway, 2007, 58 minutes (Tamil, English subtitles). Women Make Movies, www.wmm.com Sari soldiers, by Julie Bridgham, Nepal, 2008, 90 minutes, with Dev...
Eolian-fluvial interaction in the Page Sandstone (Middle Jurassic) in south-central Utah, USA — a case study of erg-margin processes

Abstract Channel- and lens-shaped deposits of non-eolian red sandstone are enclosed within the eolian Leche-e Member of the Page Sandstone in south-central Utah. Detailed analysis of lithology and geometry, and regional correlation of the red sandstone deposits suggests that the channel-shaped scours and in-filling deposits were formed by ephemeral stream processes, in contrast to earlier interpretations that suggested a marine estuarine origin. We hypothesize that ephemeral streams transporting volcanic debris flowed toward the north and northeast along the western edge of the Page erg. Local avulsion, possibly caused by eolian damming of an adjacent drainage, led to stream flow into low areas of the Page erg. Entrainment of loose eolian sand, combined with fluid loss via infiltration, led to a rapid increase in sediment/fluid ratio during flow events, initially resulting in sandy debris flow deposition. Subsequent floods entrained less material from the underlying, more cohesive, debris flow deposits, had a lower sediment/water ratio, and hence left deposits containing some evidence of flow turbulence. Eventually, stream drainage avulsed again, probably back to a more northerly course into the Carmel sea, fluvial deposition within the erg ceased, and eolian deposits covered the now intercalated fluvial complex.
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF INDIUM PHOSPHIDE CLUSTERS : ANION PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY OF INXPX- AND INX+1PX- (X = 1-13) CLUSTERS

Abstract Photoelectron spectra for indium phosphide (InP) cluster anions comprised of up to 27 atoms were measured at a photodetachment wavelength of 266 nm. Results are presented for cluster anions of both stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric composition (InxPx−, Inx+1Px−; x=1–13). In3P3 exhibits the lowest electron affinity (EA) of all the clusters studied, indicating a particularly stable neutral species. The EAs of the stoichiometric clusters are considerably lower than those of the corresponding non-stoichiometric clusters, suggesting the presence of closed-shell ground states for the neutral InxPx clusters. Remarkable agreement between the experimental EAs and those derived from calculations on quantum dots is found.
PCS: Prominent Cross-Sections for Mesh Models

Analysis of mesh models is gaining prominence as it has wide range of applications from engineering to medicine. In this paper, we present a method for analyzing meshes through the abstraction of its prominent cross-sections (PCS). An algorithm that can robustly yield prominent cross-section at any point on the mesh that approximates the local sweep has been presented. Two types of prominent crosssections, full (FPCS) and partial (PPCS) are defined and computed over the model. These cross-sections, that cover the object, can then be used in further analysis. Skeleton computation and shape matching using prominent cross-sections have been demonstrated.
Rediscovery of Leptoxis compacta (Anthony, 1854) (Gastropoda: Cerithioidea: Pleuroceridae)

The Mobile River Basin is a hotspot of molluscan endemism, but anthropogenic activities have caused at least 47 molluscan extinctions, 37 of which were gastropods, in the last century. Nine of these suspected extinctions were in the freshwater gastropod genus Leptoxis (Cerithioidea: Pleuroceridae). Leptoxis compacta, a Cahaba River endemic, has not been collected for >70 years and was formally declared extinct in 2000. Such gastropod extinctions underscore the imperilment of freshwater resources and the current biodiversity crisis in the Mobile River Basin. During a May 2011 gastropod survey of the Cahaba River in central Alabama, USA, L. compacta was rediscovered. The identification of snails collected was confirmed through conchological comparisons to the L. compacta lectotype, museum records, and radulae morphology of historically collected L. compacta. Through observations of L. compacta in captivity, we document for the first time that the species lays eggs in short, single lines. Leptoxis compacta is restricted to a single location in the Cahaba River, and is highly susceptible to a single catastrophic extinction event. As such, the species deserves immediate conservation attention. Artificial propagation and reintroduction of L. compacta into its native range may be a viable recovery strategy to prevent extinction from a single perturbation event.
A Normative Model for Improving Services Quality

Abstract As services businesses continue to proliferate, competition among professional and retail service providers rapidly intensifies. Amidst the competitive wars, service marketers are seeking new, innovative ways to improve services quality in order to maintain their competitive position. Many of the existing approaches are geared toward larger operations. This article proposes a normative model of services quality for service organizations of varying types and sizes with an emphasis on the small service provider. The utilization of this model can assist service providers in improving the quality of their service and overall customer satisfaction.
Chemiresistive hydrogen gas sensors from gold-palladium nanopeapods

Gold-palladium (Au-Pd) nanopeapod-based H2 chemiresistors were fabricated using a gold binding M13 viral template. Peptides displayed along the length of this biological template served as affinity binding sites to direct gold nanoparticle assembly under ambient conditions in an aqueous environment. In addition, the geometry of this filamentous biomolecule readily facilitated the formation of the highly anisotropic nanopeapod structure. Pd electroless deposition controlled peapod diameter, as well as electrical resistance. Sensor performance was determined by overall peapod morphology. Thicker nanopeapods (i.e., ∼15 nm Pd layer) with fully encapsulated Au nanoparticle seeds showed strong evidence of oxygen inclusion during or after Pd deposition, and a modest response (i.e., 0.04%–2.6%) at 2000 ppmv H2 after device conditioning through extended H2 exposure. Thinner nanopeapods (i.e., ∼5 nm Pd layer) with discontinuous Au nanoparticle coverage showed superior performance with a response of 117% at 2000 ppm...
Effect of Dietary Aflatoxin on Hemostasis of Young Turkey Poults

Young turkey poults fed graded levels of aflatoxin (0, 125, 250, and 500 microgram/kg) from hatching for 3 weeks displayed altered hemostasis, manifested in prolonged prothrombin times at 2 and 3 weeks of age. Body weights were only affected in those groups receiving 500 microgram/kg. Total plasma protein, fibrinogen, and plasma calcium were reduced in response to dietary aflatoxin. In comparison with chickens, which exhibit similar hemostatic dysfunction concomitant with reduced body weight, turkeys receiving aflatoxin at lower levels exhibited an altered hemostatic response without exhibiting depressed body weights. Thus, the turkey hemostatic system is a better indicator of aflatoxicosis than is body weight gain.
Gastrin, Motilin, Insulin, and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Concentrations in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants Receiving Enteral or Parenteral Nutrition

Blood concentrations of gastrin, motilin, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-I were measured sequentially during the first 3 weeks of life in 22 very-low-birth-weight infants (birth weight 1.03 +/- 0.24 g; gestational age 28.3 +/- 1.9 weeks; mean +/- SD) who were in respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation and were receiving either total parenteral or enteral feedings. An increase in the blood concentration of motilin beyond the basal measurement was observed in enterally fed infants but not in infants receiving total parenteral nutrition. Motilin and gastrin concentrations were significantly increased in the enterally fed group compared with infants receiving total parenteral nutrition at 2 and 3 weeks and 1 and 3 weeks, respectively. There were no differences in serum insulin or plasma insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations between groups after the start of the study. The present data suggest that enteral nutrition in very-low-birth-weight infants is associated with a relative increase in peripheral motilin and gastrin concentrations compared with parenterally fed infants.
High‐resolution two‐dimensional electrophoretic survey of serum protein genetic types in Schmiedeleut Hutterites

High-resolution, two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) was used to examine allele frequencies in eight serum protein marker systems and to screen for rare or previously undescribed alleles in 152 members of the Schmiedeleut branch of the Hutterite Brethren. The results include the first report of α2 -HS glycoprotein, apolipoprotein E, and SPPM-158 frequencies and haptoglobin 1F and 2S subtype frequencies in the Hutterites. Designed as part of ongoing genetic studies in this reproductively isolated population, this study was done to determine which markers might correlate with medical features or could be useful in population studies. Prior studies of erythrocyte surface and enzymatic markers, lymphocyte surface and enzymatic markers, and serum proteins by other investigators have identified common, rare, and private markers in approximately 40 polymorphic systems. This study included five serum protein markers that were not examined in previous studies. The study identified a 2DE marker, SPPM-158, that was later confirmed in other populations to be a ubiquitous serum protein polymorphism. Allele frequencies for α2 -HS glycoprotein, apolipoprotein E, group-specific globulin, haptoglobin, SPPM-158, α1 -antitrypsin, apolipoprotein A-IV, and transferrin are presented. The first five of these had allele frequencies useful for population studies. We did not find any rare or private variants with 2DE in these systems. Overall, the 2DE data were in good agreement with prior studies in the Hutterites and relevant European populations.
Source scaling of earthquakes in the shumagin region, Alaska: time-domain inversions of regional waveforms

The scaling of pulse duration to seismic moment is estimated for earthquakes along an interplate thrust zone, from digital waveforms recorded by short-period and broad-band instruments of the East Aleutian (Shumagin) Seismic Network. We measure pulse duration using an empirical Green's function technique based on damped time-domain deconvolution. From several thousand events, 22 earthquakes with magnitudes 3.0–7.0 and depths 23-56 km are found to give reliable estimates of pulse duration. Durations are also determined directly from one-parameter nonlinear inversions, for a variety of simple functional forms of source time functions. Symmetric source pulses (boxcar or triangle shapes) fit waveforms better than an asymmetric model [t exp (-2t/D)] for most (62 per cent) of the waveform pairs, while the asymmetric model fits best for only 8 per cent of the data. Pulse duration increases with the size of events, from 0.1 to 10s over the seismic moment (M0) range of 1014 to 3 × 1019 Nm. When normalized by the cube root of seismic moment, pulse durations show ∼8 x variation; comparable static stress drop estimates range from 0.2 to 135 MPa. Contrary to predictions of some laboratory and theoretical studies, earthquakes at the deepest part of the thrust zone do not show significantly higher stress drops than do shallower events. Rupture properties, however, show a strong dependence on earthquake size. the three largest events (M0>5 × 1018Nm) have the three longest normalized durations, on average 3.8 times longer than those for smaller events. the durations require smaller events to have 10–100 x larger static stress drops, or ∼4 x faster rupture velocities, or some combination of the two. Possibly, the largest events rupture both strong and weak patches while smaller events just rupture strong patches on the fault surface. the characteristic dimension that separates large from small events, 3-15 km, is comparable to characteristic wavelengths of Pacific basin bathymetry and may reflect the influence of the subducted sea-floor upon fault-zone heterogeneity.
Re-alignment as a possible after-effect of K-hole formation

Abstract In measurements of the distribution of gamma rays following the K-capture of aligned nuclei, it is usually assumed that the influence of the K-hole tends to make the observed angular distribution more isotropic (de-alignment). It is shown that due to the correlation between the direction of the spin of the K-hole and the nuclear spin after K-capture, the opposite possibility exists; a realignment is possible. The effect is discussed quantitatively for the Co58 nucleus as an example.
Induction of antioxidant enzymes in murine podocytes precedes injury by puromycin aminonucleoside

Induction of antioxidant enzymes in murine podocytes precedes injury by puromycin aminonucleoside. Background An imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense mechanisms has been suggested to play an important role in podocyte injury in nephrotic syndrome. Experimental nephrotic syndrome induced by injection of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) into rats is a well-established model of nephrotic syndrome, and can be largely prevented by pretreatment with antioxidant enzymes (AOE), suggesting that podocyte injury may be mediated by ROS. Methods To test the hypothesis that PAN-induced podocyte injury is modulated in part by podocyte antioxidant defenses, we analyzed AOE activities, lipid peroxidation products, and relative ROS levels in podocytes using our recently reported in vitro model of PAN-induced podocyte injury. Results PAN treatment induced early increases in both podocyte hydrogen peroxide and superoxide and later increases in lipid peroxidation products. Compared to baseline activities, PAN also induced significant changes in the major cellular AOE activities (maximum increases of 151% for catalase, 134% for superoxide dismutase, and 220% for glutathione peroxidase vs. time-matched controls). These changes largely preceded the development of extensive podocyte process retraction and actin filament disruption, which was maximal at 7 days. Conclusion These results demonstrate that ( 1 ) PAN treatment induces significant early changes in podocyte ROS, ( 2 ) podocytes can mount an antioxidant defense against oxidant stress, and ( 3 ) this protective response is initiated prior to the development of extensive oxidant-induced podocyte structural injury. These findings suggest that enhancement of podocyte AOE activities represent a potential therapeutic target to protect from or ameliorate podocyte injury during nephrotic syndrome.
How does maintenance of network activity depend on endogenous dynamics of isolated neurons

Robust activity of some networks, such as central pattern generators, suggests the existence of physiological mechanisms that maintain the most important characteristics, for example, the period and spike frequency of the pattern. Whatever these mechanisms are, they change the appropriate model parameters to or along the isomanifolds on which the characteristics of the pattern are constant, while their sensitivities to parameters may be different. Setting synaptic connections to zero at the points of isomanifolds allows for dissecting the maintenance mechanisms into components involving synaptic transmission and components involving intrinsic currents. The physiological meaning of the intrinsic current changes might be revealed by analysis of their impact on endogenous neuronal dynamics. Here, we sought answers to two questions: (1) Do parameter variations in insensitive directions (along isomanifolds) change endogenous dynamics of the network neurons? (2) Do sensitive and insensitive directions for network pattern characteristics depend on endogenous dynamics of the network neurons? We considered a leech heartbeat half-center oscillator model network and analyzed isomanifolds on which the burst period or spike frequency of the model, or both, are constant. Based on our analysis, we hypothesize that the dependence on endogenous dynamics of the isolated neurons is the stronger the more characteristics of the pattern have to be maintained. We also found that in general, the network was more flexible when it consisted of endogenously tonically spiking rather than bursting or silent neurons. Finally, we discuss the physiological implications of our findings.
Diurnal and temporal changes in the chemical profile of xylem exudate from Vitis rotundifolia

Positive root pressure in Vitis rotundifolia Michx. cv. Noble was employed to quantify diurnal and temporal changes in the chemical profile of xylem exudate. Xylem fluid osmolarity (7.2 to 16.8 mM), water flux (8.2 to 18.5 ml h−1) and solute flux (0.7 to 2.2 mmol h−1) from a cut spur exhibited a diurnal pattern with maxima during midday and minima at night. Total osmolarity was similar to the sum of all organic and inorganic entitites quantified, indicating that the major solutes have been identified. Total amino acid and organic acid concentration were about equal (2 to 7 mM), and sugars accounted for a minor fraction of the total profile (<0.2 mM). Glutamine represented ca 80% of the organic N and 70% of the total N transported in the xylem fluid. A circadian rhythm in water flux and net flux of most organic and inorganic entities was observed with maxima during midday and minima at night. The increase in xylem fluid osmolarity occurring during midday was primarily a consequence of increased organic acid (oxalic, citric, tartaric, malic and succinic acids) and ion (NH4+, No3−, P and Ca) concentration. A diurnal cycle in amino acid concentration was less clear. The concentration of individual organic and inorganic entities varied asynchronously with time. Xylem solute was comprised of 80% organic and 20% inorganic components when collected 5 min to 2 h after the commencement of bleeding, but the ratio of organic to inorganic components fell to about 50% after 7 days.
Strained-Si-on-Insulator (SSOI) and SiGe-on-Insulator (SGOI): Fabrication Obstacles and Solutions

Advanced CMOS substrates composed of ultra-thin strained-Si and SiGe-on-insulator were fabricated, combining both the benefits of high-mobility strained-Si and SOI. Our pioneering method employed wafer bonding of SiGe virtual substrates (with strained-Si layers) to oxidized handle wafers. Layer transfer onto insulating handle wafers can be accomplished using grind-etchback or delamination via implantation. Both methods were found to produce a rough transferred layer, but polishing is unacceptable due to non-uniform material removal across the wafer and the lack of precise control over the final layer thickness. To solve these problems, a strained-Si stop layer was incorporated into the bonding structure. After layer transfer, excess SiGe was removed using a selective etch process, stopping on the strained-Si. Within the context of ultra-thin SSOI and SGOI fabrication, this paper describes recent improvements including metastable stop layers, low temperature wafer bonding, and improved selective SiGe removal.
Surgical gastrostomy placement as access for diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP

Therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) through a gastrostomy has been described only twice.1-2 In both of these case reports, ERCP was performed through gastrostomy tracks placed for enteral nutrition because of esophageal obstruction before development of biliary obstruction. We describe the case of a patient who underwent surgical gastrostomy exclusively for allowing endoscopic access to the papilla for evaluation of recurrent acute pancreatitis in the setting of a remote gastric bypass operation.
Fast Transient Stability Soultions

Techniques are described for improving the speed of large transient stability studies without sacrificing accuracy. A fast iterative method for solving the algebraic network equations, including the effect of generator saliency, is explained. A new technique for solving the differential equations with the implicit trapezoidal rule of integration is introduced. These two techniques can be combined into one simultaneous solution, thereby eliminating the problem of interface error between the differential and algebraic equation solutions of the traditional approach.
The Russian Industrial Society and Tsarist Economic Policy, 1867–1905

The Russian Industrial Society, the first national organization of commercial and industrial interests in the empire, attempted to win governmental support for a comprehensive program of economic development. It enjoyed some successes in the fields of tariff protection, factory legislation, and the conquest of Central Asia. The tsarist bureaucracy, however, proved unwilling or unable to implement rational reforms in such key areas as subsoil mineral rights, monopolies, and corporate law. Moreover, policy disagreements among the society's regional branches, especially those in Moscow, Warsaw, and Lodz, weakened the organization from the 1880s onward.