cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Overview of US Department of Agriculture Requirements

Abstract INTRODUCTION Let me first commend the Poultry Science Association for putting togther this important program. Water conservation and reuse is an issue that goes far beyond the immediate concerns of USDA and the poultry industry. That is because the use of water itself has such weighty implications nationwide for the environment and for the public health. As with any regulatory program, the basis for USDA water usage requirements is grounded in the law. The Poultry Products Inspection Act requires, among other things, that poultry firms have premises, facilities, equipment, and operations that prevent an adulterated product from moving into commerce. The law goes on to say that a poultry product is adulterated if it consists, in whole or in part, of any filth or of any putrid or decomposed substance. That definition also includes a product that, for any other reason, is unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or otherwise unfit for human …
Biomimetic peptoid oligomers as dual-action antifreeze agents

The ability of natural peptides and proteins to influence the formation of inorganic crystalline materials has prompted the design of synthetic compounds for the regulation of crystal growth, including the freezing of water and growth of ice crystals. Despite their versatility and ease of structural modification, peptidomimetic oligomers have not yet been explored extensively as crystallization modulators. This report describes a library of synthetic N-substituted glycine peptoid oligomers that possess “dual-action” antifreeze activity as exemplified by ice crystal growth inhibition concomitant with melting temperature reduction. We investigated the structural features responsible for these phenomena and observed that peptoid antifreeze activities depend both on oligomer backbone structure and side chain chemical composition. These studies reveal the capability of peptoids to act as ice crystallization regulators, enabling the discovery of a unique and diverse family of synthetic oligomers with potential as antifreeze agents in food production and biomedicine.
Enterprise Zones: 1. Investment and Job Creation of State Government Programs in the United States of America:

This is the first of two papers in which the programmatic structure and effectiveness of state government designated enterprise zones (EZs) in the United States of America are analyzed. The study i...
Total gastric replacement following gas bloat in a 21-month-old child.

A 21-month-old child with a previously repaired left congenital diaphragmatic hernia underwent a 360° `loose-wrap' Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux. Failure to replace the dislodged nasogastric tube on the 2nd night led to severe gas bloat and total gastric infarction. A 30-cm retrocolic, N-shaped, isoperistaltic jejunal pouch was constructed for gastric replacement. A pyloromyotomy ensured free emptying and a pouchostomy secured the pouch to the abdominal wall. At 8 months all nutrition was oral except for a biannual vitamin B12 injection, there was no dumping, and the pouchostomy was removed. By 18 months growth, originally along the 10th centile, was sustained at the 50th centile. Our early impression recommends a 30-cm retrocolic, isoperistaltic, N-shaped jejunal pouch similar to that of Hays and Clark as a safe and effective replacement for the stomach in children.
Transcription factors direct the development and function of pancreatic β cells

Transcription factors orchestrate intricate pathways of cellular growth and differentiation by regulating the rate of transcription of an array of genes. Genetic and biochemical studies have begun to unravel the complex cascade of factors that controls the proliferation and differentiation of cells in the developing pancreas. The specific pathway leading to the development of the insulin-secreting b cell has been a focus of many of these studies because an understanding of the transcription factors governing this pathway will be crucial to the engineering of new b cells to cure diabetes. In recent years, the number of transcription factors that has been implicated in b-cell differentiation and function has grown considerably. Here, we outline the known role of transcription factors in b-cell development, and describe how these factors form a network of gene activation signals that mediates insulin transcription.
The Nature and Implications of the Reswitching of Techniques

I. Introduction, 526. â€” II. Alternative discrete capital models, 528. â€” III. Reswitching in two-good technologies, 531. â€” IV. Reswitching in a general capital model, 538. â€” V. Some additional implications for economic theory, 546.
SU(2)×U(1)×U(1) and Glashow-Manohar monojets

Abstract I show that the monojet events observed at CERN can arise from Z decay into a light neutral gauge boson, Z′, and a still lighter Higgs boson, h′. Z′ and h′ are both associated with an extra U(1) factor in the electroweak gauge symmetry group under which normal matter transforms trivially. Because the Z′ couples to normal matter only through its mixing with the Z, its effects on the usual electroweak phenomenology are very small. The resulting phenomenology of the monojets is similar to the Glashow-Manohar scheme.
German Cinema Since Unification, edited by David Clarke. London: Continuum, 2006

German cinema is on a roll these days. After decades of finding itself ignored by the international film community—and I might add: justifiably so—the past 5 years have seen a surprising, and curre...
Familial hypophosphatemic rickets: bone mass measurements in children following therapy with calcitriol and supplemental phosphate.

Familial hypophosphatemic rickets is characterized by defective skeletal mineralization resulting in abnormal growth and development. The pathologic and radiologic correlates of this syndrome have been given some investigation, but the effect of this mineralization defect on bone mineral density has not been adequately assessed. We measured axial and appendicular bone mineral in 17 children (mean age 5.59±4.87) with familial hypophosphatemia at baseline and at 6-month intervals after initiation of therapy with vitamin D3 (calcitriol) and phosphate supplementation. Noninvasive quantitative techniques included single photon absorptiometry (SPA) of the radius, combined cortical thickness (CCT) of the second metacarpal, and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) of vertebral trabecular bone. Thoraco-lumbar and hand/wrist radiographs were qualitatively assessed for the prevalence and severity of osteosclerosis, rickets, and other parameters indicative of metabolic bone disease as well as skeletal age. Quantitative determinations of bone mineral by each technique were compared with normal values for age and sex, and individual standardized scores (z-scores) were calculated at each measurement interval. Standard scores were also calculated for bone age-adjusted mineral values. At baseline, spinal trabecular bone by QCT was not significantly different from normal values; however, measurements of peripheral cortical bone by either SPA or CCT were significantly lower than values for normal children of the same age and sex (P=0.05 andP=0.01, respectively). Following therapy with calcitriol and phosphate, peripheral bone mass was not shown to improve significantly when contiguous standard scores were compared even when values were adjusted for bone age. Comparison of noncontiguous standard scores between longer measurement intervals also failed to achieve significance. In spite of a general increase in bone mass over time, we found that peripheral bone mass expressed as a standard score remained significantly low. To the contrary, vertebral trabecular bone density generally remained in the normal range. However, concomitant and persistent vertebral osteosclerosis, with a prevalence of greater than 50% throughout the study, may mimic these “normal” values. Though the treatment regimen under investigation may be effective in preventing and ameliorating the osseous lesions associated with this syndrome, it appears to have limited short-term value in improving abnormal bone density development.
Lateral current spreading in SiC Schottky diodes using metal overlap edge termination

Abstract Schottky diodes on N-type SiC are fabricated using metal overlap on an oxide film as edge termination. The forward current spreading effect is investigated in this paper for the first time. The thickness of the oxide film varys from 800 to 7200 A. DC current–voltage ( I – V ) measurements indicate that the forward current densities are higher for Schottky diodes with metal overlap edge termination than those of unterminated Schottky diodes with a similar Schottky contact area. The forward current improvement strongly dependents on the oxide film thickness and operational temperature. A possible model to explain the higher forward current density in Schottky diodes with edge termination is proposed based on the formation of an accumulation layer underneath the oxide layer under the forward bias resulting in the lateral current spreading.
IL-15 Induces the Release of Soluble IL-2Rα from Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Abstract The recently identified and cloned cytokine IL-15 shares many of the T-cell and B-cell stimulatory activities of IL-2 and utilizes the β and γ chains of the IL-2R for binding and signaling. The present report shows that, like IL-2, IL-15 in a concentration and time-dependent manner causes the release of sIL-2Rα from PHA-activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This effect of IL-15 is largely direct and independent of IL-2. Blocking of the IL-2Rβ chain with the antibody Mik-β1 prevented the release of sIL-2Rα by IL-15 but not by IL-2. IL-7, another cytokine utilizing the γ chain of the IL-2R, drove the release of sIL-2Rα as well. Several clinical conditions are associated with abnormal serum sIL-2Rα levels and are also monitored by the measurement of sIL-2Rα. The reason for sIL-2Rα release is not fully understood. In this study, IL-15, like IL-2 was shown to be a potent inducer of sIL-2Rα release in vitro.
On Kaluza-Klein states from large extra dimensions

We consider the novel Kaluza-Klein (KK) scenario where gravity propagates in the $(4+n)$-dimensional bulk of spacetime, while gauge and matter fields are confined to the $(3+1)$-dimensional world volume of a brane configuration. For simplicity we assume compactification of the extra n dimensions on a torus with a common scale $R,$ and identify the massive KK states in the four-dimensional spacetime. For a given KK level $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{n}$ there is one spin-2 state, $(n\ensuremath{-}1)$ spin-1 states, and $n(n\ensuremath{-}1)/2$ spin-0 states, all mass degenerate. We construct the effective interactions between these KK states and ordinary matter fields (fermions, gauge bosons, and scalars). We find that the spin-1 states decouple and that the spin-0 states only couple through the dilaton mode. We then derive the interacting Lagrangian for the KK states and standard model fields, and present the complete Feynman rules. We discuss some low-energy phenomenology for these new interactions for the case when $1/R$ is small compared to the electroweak scale, and the ultraviolet cutoff of the effective KK theory is on the order of 1 TeV.
Factors differentiating women and men who successfully maintain weight loss from women and men who do not.

The current study explored the relative contribution of exercise, coping responses, cognitive attributions, and emotional experiences to successful weight-loss maintenance in men and women. The data were collected via a large community-based survey on dieting and weight loss commissioned by Consumer Union. Men and women who met our criteria for successful (n = 277 men, n = 329 women) and unsuccessful (n = 277 men, n = 329 women) weight-loss maintenance were included in the sample. Successful weight-loss maintainers (Maintainers) reported having lost at least 10% of their highest adult weight and having maintained that weight loss for at least the three years immediately prior to the survey. Unsuccessful weight-loss maintainers (Regainers) reported not ever having been able to maintain a significant weight loss and having lost and regained a minimum of 10 to 19 pounds at least once. In response to a dietary lapse, Maintainers, as compared with Regainers, reported being more likely to use direct coping and less likely to seek help. The results imply that the most useful variables for differentiating between successful and unsuccessful weight-loss maintainers may involve how they respond to a dietary lapse. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 105–117, 2001.
(Carbonato-κ(2)O,O')bis-(5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl-κ(2)N,N')cobalt(III) bromide trihydrate.

In the title complex, [Co(CO3)(C12H12N2)2]Br·3H2O, the CoIII cation has a distorted octa­hedral coordination environment. It is chelated by four N atoms of two different 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl (dmbpy) ligands in axial and equatorial positions, and by two O atoms of a carbonate anion completing the equatorial positions. Although the water mol­ecules are disordered and their H atoms were not located, there are typical O⋯O distances between 2.8 and 3.0 A, indicating O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding. The crystal packing is consolidated by C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds, as well as π–π stacking inter­actions between adjacent pyridine rings of the dmbpy ligands, with centroid–centroid distances of 3.694 (3) and 3.7053 (3) A.
Preserving the chromatographic integrity of high-speed supercritical fluid chromatography separations using time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The advantage of high-speed time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) detection for ultrafast qualitative supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry (SFC/MS) applications allows the superior resolving power of SFC to be exploited in high-throughput analysis. A chromatographic comparison of quadrupole MS and TOF-MS shows high-speed TOF total ion current data point sampling to be more indicative of fast SFC separations and corresponding short (1−2 s) baseline peak widths. Results shown for analysis of a six-compound mixture with two peaks eluting at 0.86 and 0.89 min exhibit >50% resolution by high-speed TOF data sampling, whereas the same peaks appear to coelute using quadrupole MS data sampling. Additionally, a marked improvement in the peak baseline widths is afforded by fast TOF data acquisition of 0.1 s/spectrum, resulting in a reduction in the baseline width, 1.6 s, of sulfanilamide in a four-compound mixture that is more than 2-fold greater than that achieved at the slower data acquisition ...
Numerical modeling of crack growth under dynamic loading conditions

A framework for modeling crack growth is described that is based on introducing one or more cohesive surfaces into a continuum. Constitutive relations are specified independently for the material and for the cohesive surfaces. Fracture emerges as a natural outcome of the deformation process, without introducing an additional failure criterion. The characterization of the mechanical response of a cohesive surface involves both an interfacial strength and the work of separation per unit area, which introduces a characteristic length into the formulation. Finite element analyses are carried out for a plane strain block with an initial central crack, subject to impact loading. The crack is constrained to grow along the initial crack line. Numerical results are presented for elastic and elastic-viscoplastic solids using various degrees of mesh refinement.
Influence of 20, 25-diaza-cholesterol on serum lipoprotein lipids of mature rats.

Abstract Five-month-old male rats were fed diets with or without 20,25-diaza-cholesterol (azasterol) for 6 weeks. Serum lipoproteins were separated into very low (VLDL)-, low (LDL), and high (HDL) density lipoproteins by preparative ultracentrifugation. Quantitatively, the VLDL and LDL were about 20% less in rats fed azasterol than in control rats, while the HDL class was 10% less. Glycerides, sterol esters, and phosoholipids were all slightly less in azasterol fed rats than control rats for each lipoprotein class. Fatty acid composition of the HDL sterol esters was similar for the two groups. Azasterol caused no marked decrease in cholesterol concentration in any lipoprotein class. In the control group of rats, only cholesterol appeared in the VLDL and LDL; the HDL and liver of control rats contained cholesterol plus the plant sterols, campesterol and β-sitosterol. In the azasterol group, only cholesterol appeared in the VLDL and LDL, but the HDL and liver contained desmosterol (24-dehydro-cholesterol) in addition to the plant sterols. The desmosterol apparently arose from azasterol inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis and the plant sterols from the diet.
Contribution of the Conserved Amino Acids of the Melanocortin-4 Receptor in d-[Nle4,Phe7]-α-Melanocyte-stimulating Hormone Binding and Signaling

Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) plays an important role in the regulation of food intake and body weight. To determine the molecular basis of human MC4R (hMC4R) responsible for α-melanocortin-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) binding, in this study, we utilized both receptor domain exchange and site-directed mutagenesis studies to investigate the molecular determinants of hMC4R responsible for α-MSH binding and signaling. α-MSH is a potent agonist at hMC4R but not at hMC2R. Cassette substitutions of the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth transmembrane regions (TM) of the hMC4R with the homologous regions of hMC2R were performed and α-MSH binding and signaling were examined. Our results indicate that each chimeric receptor was expressed at the cell surface and the expression levels remain similar to that of the wild-type receptor. The cassette substitutions of the second, fourth, fifth, and sixth TMs of the hMC4R with homologous regions of the hMC2R did not significantly alter α-MSH binding affinity and potency except substitution of the TM3 of the hMC4R, suggesting that the conserved residues in TMs of the hMC4R are crucial for α-MSH binding and signaling. Further mutagenesis studies indicate that conserved residues Glu100 in TM2, Asp122, Asp126 in TM3 and Trp258, Phe261, His264 in TM6 are involved in α-MSH binding and signaling. In conclusion, our results suggest that the conserved residues in the TM2, TM3, and TM6 of the hMC4R are responsible for α-MSH binding and signaling.
Age, Growth, and Downstream Migration of Juvenile Rainbow Trout in a Lake Michigan Tributary

Abstract Juvenile rainbow trout were examined during 1951–59 while in stream nursery areas and when migrating downstream. Their body-scale relationship was: total length (mm) = 4.06 + 2.10 scale radius (mm × 107) and relationship between length (mm) and weight (g) was W = 0.00001384L3.0426. Age composition of trout during autumn in the nursery areas averaged 68% age 0, 29% age I and 3% age II; trout in the downstream migration averaged 64% age I, 34% age II and 2% age III. Most downstream migration occurred between 21 May and 30 June, at night, on subsiding water levels and at water temperatures of 9–17 C. There was an association between numbers of juveniles in the nursery areas and numbers of subsequent downstream migrants. Trout grew about 76 mm per year; growth was similar to that in other Great Lakes tributaries and to growth in Pacific Ocean tributaries. Most downstream migrants in Great Lakes tributaries were age II or less, while in Pacific Ocean tributaries, most were age II and III. Time of migr...
Stress evolution and fault interactions before and after the 2008 Great Wenchuan earthquake

Abstract The 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake (Mw 7.9) ruptured ∼ 300 km of the Longmen Shan fault, claiming ∼ 90,000 lives and devastating many cities in the Sichuan province, China. The coseismic stress changes due to the Wenchuan earthquake have been studied in kinematic models using the inferred coseismic fault slips, but the cause of the fault slips, the impact of other large earthquakes, and the mechanical interactions between the faults in eastern Tibet are uncertain. Here we explore these issues using a three-dimensional viscoelastoplastic dynamic model that calculates the regional stresses from tectonic and topographic loading, and simulates earthquakes and their stress perturbations. Our calculated coseismic changes of the Coulomb stress associated with the Great Wenchuan earthquake are similar to those in previous models. However, we show that the cumulative Coulomb stress changes, hence the implied earthquake risks, are significantly different when previous large earthquakes in the region are included in the model. Particularly, we show that in spite of stress increase from the Wenchuan earthquake, the southeastern segments of the Xianshuihe fault stay in a stress shadow because of the stress release by six M ≥ 6.9 events in this part of the Xianshuihe fault since 1893. We also found that interseismic locking on the Xianshuihe fault can increase the loading rate on the Longmen Shan fault by up to ∼ 50 Pa/year.
More effective engineering proposals — One key to success

A review is made of the importance and significance of the technical communication in engineering R & D contract proposals. This paper shows what the Services are seeking in contracts with engineering firms and outlines the basic elements that the proposal should contain. Procedures for evaluating finished proposals are discussed, and a number of specific reasons are given for rejecting proposals. General recommendations are given for effectively shaping the material in an engineering proposal.
Wickham, E. R. 1957. Church and People in an Industrial City

(2008). Wickham, E. R. 1957. Church and People in an Industrial City. Practical Theology: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 143-144.
Performance gap theories of innovation

Although performance gaps have long been assumed to stimulate innovative organizations, the theory has rarely been tested. In a secondary data analysis of 147 food processing firms, it was found that performance gaps are significantly correlated with objective measures of environmental uncertainty but not with innovation among firms in this sample. It was hypothesized that since performance gaps might impinge upon the availability of slack resources to the firm, small firms would be discouraged from innovating after experiencing a performance gap and large firms would be encouraged to innovate in response to a performance gap. Modest support for this proposition was obtained. Three other propositions were strongly supported by these data. Perceived rather than objective measures of environmental uncertainty are significantly correlated with radical innovation in firms that have successfully avoided severe performance gaps, most probably because they are significantly more likely to have formulated and implemented an aggressive technology policy. It appears that environmental change and turbulence that cause performance gaps can promote innovation for an organization if they can be anticipated, but will discourage especially radical innovation once they have led to a severe performance gap.
Characterization of 10S RNA: a new stable rna molecule from Escherichia coli.

When cells of Escherichia coli are labeled with 32Pi for long periods of time and the cell content is subjected to electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels, an RNA band appears which is about 10S in size. This band seems to contain three conformers. After treatment with formamide only a single band appears in this region of the gel, which contains 550 nucleotides as determined from its mobility. The complexity of the fingerprint of this material, after digestion with T1-RNase, is in agreement with the size as determined by the mobility, this confirming that indeed it is a single molecule. Composition of the T1-oligonucleotides was determined by digesting the T1-generated oligonucleotides with pancreatic RNase and T2-RNase. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of these digestions suggests that 10S RNA contains 609 nucleotides. The molecule contains, besides the four regular bases, one copy per molecule of the modified base pseudouridine. 10S RNA cannot be processed by cell extracts to tRNA-sized molecules and does not bind significantly to ribosomes, hence it is unlikely to be a tRNA precursor or an mRNA.
Intrathoracic displacement of a fractured humeral head.

78-year-old woman fell on her right side while walking in a parking lot. She presented to another ospital complaining of right shoulder pain and shortess of breath. There were decreased breath sounds on he right side and subcutaneous emphysema was present ilaterally. A chest roentgenogram revealed a right heopneumothorax, fractures of the third and fourth right ibs, and a complex fracture of the proximal right huerus (Fig 1). Although the head of the humerus ithin the right pleural space, the rib fragments were not ignificantly displaced. A computed tomographic scan of he chest did not show major pulmonary injury (Fig 2). A ight-sided chest tube was placed. Her air leak was esolved, her chest tube was removed, and she was ischarged 8 days after injury. Six weeks after injury a magnetic resonance image of
Photon-gated spectral hole burning by donor-acceptor electron transfer.

We have observed a new mechanism for photon-gated spectral hole burning, donor-acceptor electron transfer, in a material composed of a zinc-tetrabenzoporphyrin derivative (donor) with chloroform acceptors in poly(methyl methacrylate) thin films. Gated holes form when we simultaneously excite the donor 0-0 singlet absorption (630 nm) and the donor triplet–triplet absorption (350–550 nm), with the largest gating enhancement (>30) occurring for gating light near 480 nm. The gating action spectrum and the photoproduct spectrum confirm that the mechanism is electron transfer from an excited triplet of the porphyrin donor to the chloroform acceptor. This result opens up a new class of materials for photon gating that should be of interest for frequency-domain optical storage applications as well as high-resolution spectroscopy of electron transfer processes in solids.
Structural Analysis of CsoS1A and the Protein Shell of the Halothiobacillus neapolitanus Carboxysome.

The carboxysome is a bacterial organelle that functions to enhance the efficiency of CO2 fixation by encapsulating the enzymes ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) and carbonic anhydrase. The outer shell of the carboxysome is reminiscent of a viral capsid, being constructed from many copies of a few small proteins. Here we describe the structure of the shell protein CsoS1A from the chemoautotrophic bacterium Halothiobacillus neapolitanus. The CsoS1A protein forms hexameric units that pack tightly together to form a molecular layer, which is perforated by narrow pores. Sulfate ions, soaked into crystals of CsoS1A, are observed in the pores of the molecular layer, supporting the idea that the pores could be the conduit for negatively charged metabolites such as bicarbonate, which must cross the shell. The problem of diffusion across a semiporous protein shell is discussed, with the conclusion that the shell is sufficiently porous to allow adequate transport of small molecules. The molecular layer formed by CsoS1A is similar to the recently observed layers formed by cyanobacterial carboxysome shell proteins. This similarity supports the argument that the layers observed represent the natural structure of the facets of the carboxysome shell. Insights into carboxysome function are provided by comparisons of the carboxysome shell to viral capsids, and a comparison of its pores to the pores of transmembrane protein channels.
A Linear Time-Domain Two-Fluid Model Analysis of Dynamic Instability in Boiling Flow Systems

Analyse lineaire de l'instabilite dynamique dans le domaine temporel d'ecoulements de liquide en ebullition. Comparaison des seuils d'instabilite du type oscillation des ondes de densite obtenus par cette analyse avec donnees experimentales pour le freon 113 et l'eau
“Supra”molecular Recognition of Galectin 1

In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, Belitsky et al. [1] elegantly describe the use of supramolecular complexes of sugars to multivalently target Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a lectin involved in the organization of cell surface glycoproteins, signaling, cell death, and cancer metastasis.
Community science: creating an alternative place to stand?

This article comments on two emerging views of community psychology's approaches to the use of research for responding to social problems in contemporary community contexts - (a) the formation of a new field of community science, or (b) the updating of community psychology research traditions. If community science is to become established as a field related to community psychology, its proponents will need to agree upon conventions of epistemology, foci of interest, methods, and standards by which its work can be judged so that it can be distinguished from other human sciences. These articles provide early sketches for what community science might be. However, as noted in this commentary, we need to heed signs of concern about community psychology's continued relevance in public discourse regarding the analysis of and responses to social problems. While this special issue offers some promising responses to the concern of what the field can contribute, the field would be well served if we broaden our dialogue about a renewal of community psychology's commitment to social justice and the need for its perspectives in the practice of research that seeks to address community-based issues in the early 21st century.
What Do Academic Primary Care Physicians Want in an Electronic Journal

To determine the interest of academic general internists and family physicians in specific features of electronic journal publications, we surveyed 350 physicians, 175 randomly selected from each of 2 medical societies: the Society of General Internal Medicine, and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. The response rate was 70%. Most general internists and family physicians used online journals sometimes or often. Most general internists and family physicians reported moderate to high interest in having links from original articles, reviews, or editorials to listed references (77% to 89% of internists and 65% to 81% of family physicians) and electronic medical reference texts (73% to 78% of internists and 65% to 83% of family physicians). Less than 25% of both groups reported moderate to high interest in having links to initiate dialog with other readers or to communicate comments to the author or editor. General internists were more likely than were family physicians to have moderate to high interest in having links to appendices and supportive material (e.g., 66% of general internists versus 46% of family physicians for original articles; P < .05) and less likely to have moderate to high interest in links to health-related web sites (44% of general internists versus 69% of family physicians for original articles; P < .05). We conclude that academic general internists and family physicians have strong but not identical interests in specific features of electronic publication that primary care–oriented journals should consider.
MATHEMATICS OF A LADY TASTING TEA REVISITED

. The British Standards Institution and the International Standards Organization specify that when mixtures of tea and milk are to be evaluated sensorially, the tea should be added to the milk. Four cups of tea prepared by pouring the tea into the cup first (TIF) and four cups prepared by placing the milk in the cup first (MIF) were presented to 155 panelists in the dark. They were instructed to select by taste the four cups containing the MIF tea. The frequency of correct selection was well above the chance level, indicating that the panelists had detected a difference in flavor. The same task was performed by 131 panelists except they evaluated the tea in light. The panelists were not highly trained tea tasters; in fact, most were not regular drinkers of hot tea. Notwithstanding that, their discriminating power was sufficient to resolve the subtle differences which did exist.
Social and cultural environment factors influencing physical activity among African-American adolescents

Abstract Purpose African-American youth are at high risk for physical inactivity. This study explored social and cultural environment facilitators of physical activity among 12- to 14-year-old African-American adolescents living in a metropolitan area in the Southeast. Methods Youth (n = 51; 45% male) participated in brainstorming focus groups responding to the prompt, "What about your family, friends, and community, encourages you to be physically active?" In a second meeting, participants (n = 56; 37.5% male) sorted statements (n = 84) based on similarity in meaning and rated statements on relative importance. Statement groups and ratings were entered into Concept Systems software where multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to create graphical representation of ideas. Finally, researchers named clusters according to the gestalt of grouped statements. Results The total sample included 28.9% of youth with household incomes ≤$30,000 (area median income = $30,701), 29% who perceived themselves as overweight, and 14.5% who reported being active for 60+ minutes everyday. Nine clusters, in rank order, emerged as follows: access/availability of physical activity resources; family and friend support; physical activity with friends; physical activity with family members; inspiration to/from others; parental reinforcement; opportunities in daily routine; pressure from social networks; and seeing consequences of activity/inactivity. Themes analyzed by gender were very similar ( r = .90); however, "pressure from social networks" was more important for girls than boys ( r = .10). Conclusions Clear patterns of social and cultural facilitators of physical activity are perceived by African-American adolescents. Interventions targeting this group may benefit by incorporating these themes.
Communicating About Sexuality in Catholic Homes

With the proliferation of mature sexual themes and erotic movies being telecast into the homes of the American public, a study was undertaken to understand the nature of interaction between Catholic parents and their teenage daughters about sexual topics in general and around coincidental television viewing. The results indicate that, depending upon whether it is the father or the mother involved with the daughter and the degree of liberalism of the parents, different patterns of communication about sexuality occur.
Applications of tilted illumination in transmission electron microscopy and diffraction of crystalline materials

Diffraction contrast depends on the relative orientation of the electron beam and the crystals in a polycrystalline sample. Tilting the illumination will therefore alter image contrast, and the consequences of changing the illumination direction rather than the specimen attitude (using a goniometer) are examined. The electromagnetic tilt controls permit very accurate tilts to be set up very easily and quickly, a feature of special importance when dealing with radiation-sensitive crystals. The effect on both dark- and bright-field imaging is considered. The loss of resolution that happens when the beam is tilted does not seriously detract from the overall image quality when operating at low magnification, as is often the case with beam-sensitive specimens. Examples of tilted-beam operation are presented for polycrystalline gold and polyethylene samples.
Post-transcriptional regulation of rat CYP2E1 expression: role of CYP2E1 mRNA untranslated regions in control of translational efficiency and message stability.

Abstract Altered expression of hepatic CYP2E1 by xenobiotic or physiological stimuli is largely mediated through post-transcriptional mechanisms that may include altered CYP2E1 mRNA translation and/or protein degradation. Examination of the polyribosomal distribution of rat hepatic P450 mRNAs indicated that, whereas nearly all of the CYP2B, CYP3A, and CYP4A mRNAs were recovered in the polysomal fractions, indicating active translation, approximately 30–40% of CYP2E1 mRNA was not associated with polysomes and therefore not actively engaged in protein synthesis. To examine the CYP2E1 mRNA molecule for sequences that might affect its translational efficiency, a series of CYP2E1 recombinant RNAs (rcRNAs) with modified 5′ or 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) was translated in vitro using the rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. Deletion of most of the CYP2E1 5′ UTR, which was predicted to contain secondary structure, increased in vitro CYP2E1 protein synthesis. Polysomal distribution analyses of 5′-modified rcRNAs demonstrated that, as seen for hepatic CYP2E1 mRNA, a substantial fraction of each CYP2E1 rcRNA was not associated with polysomes. The polysomal distribution analyses of the CYP2E1 rcRNAs also confirmed that the observed changes in CYP2E1 protein synthesis were associated with altered ribosomal loading. Deletion of the poly(A) tail, and partial or complete deletion of the 3′ UTR, decreased CYP2E1 protein synthesis. These changes in protein synthesis were accompanied by increased degradation of the CYP2E1 rcRNAs. Incubation with translational inhibitors, but not increased levels of RNase inhibitor, decreased the degradation of the rcRNAs during in vitro translation. In conclusion, these studies suggest that secondary structure in the 5′ UTR of CYP2E1 mRNA is at least partially responsible for the inefficient translation of this mRNA. The poly(A) tail and sequences contained within the 3′ UTR appear to be important for protecting CYP2E1 mRNA from RNase activity associated with the translation machinery.
Methylprednisolone impairs the bactericidal activity of alveolar macrophages

Corticosteroid treatment of patients following acid aspiration has been reported to increase the incidence of bacterial pneumonia, with Staphylococcus aureus being a common isolate. We hypothesized that administration of methylprednisolone (MP) to mice with acid-injured lungs would impair pulmonary clearance of S. aureus by compromising the bactericidal oxidative metabolism of pulmonary phagocytes. Using an inhalational bacterial challenge, we established that MP decreased pulmonary clearance of S. aureus. In mice with normal lungs and without MP treatment 14 +/- 2% of all initially deposited Staphylococci remained at 4 hr compared to 28 +/- 2% remaining in the lungs of mice with MP treatment. In mice with acid-injured lungs, MP caused a greater impairment of S. aureus clearance at 4 hr with 44 +/- 10% of all initially deposited bacteria remaining in the lungs of control mice and 210 +/- 24% remaining in the lungs of MP-treated mice. After it was demonstrated that there was no difference in the numbers of phagocytic cells obtained by lung lavage from mice with or without MP treatment, the bactericidal oxidative metabolism of these cells was quantitated using luminol-amplified chemiluminescence. Phagocytic cells from mice not exposed to S. aureus displayed minimal chemiluminescence whether they were treated with saline (22 +/- 14 mV) or MP (14 +/- 8 mV). In contrast, phagocytes from saline-treated mice exposed to S. aureus showed a significant increase in chemiluminescence (159 +/- 22 mV). Pretreatment with MP, however, prevented this response to S. aureus (21 +/- 13 mV), indicating that bactericidal oxidative metabolism of these phagocytic cells had been suppressed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Introduction to the Manhattan Bail Project

Concern over the injustice of the money bail system led the founders of the Vera Institute of Justice to design and implement the Manhattan Bail Project in 1961. The Project demonstrated that people with strong ties to the community could be safely released from custody without bail merely on their promise to return to court—called release on recognizance. Federal, state, and local officials should be encouraged to examine their systems and implement a more just, more rational, and less costly system of ensuring appearance and protecting public safety while those charged but presumed innocent await the disposition of the charges. Toward that end, Attorney General Eric Holder convened a national conference on bail and criminal justice in June 2011 that presented another opportunity to realize the Manhattan Bail Project9s mission: bringing pretrial justice to the significant proportion of impoverished defendants brought before the criminal courts.
Fabrication of Luminescent Nanostructures and Polymer Nanowires Using Dip-Pen Nanolithography

We used a combination of dip-pen nanolithography and scanning optical confocal microscopy to fabricate and visualize luminescent nanoscale patterns of various materials on glass substrates. We show...
Philanthrocapitalism: appropriation of Africa's genetic wealth

Although debates about the Gates Foundation's Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) continue with the serious criticisms that it will transform Africa's farming systems into monoculture and that it is trying to link African food production to the global ‘food value chain’, this paper focuses on more fundamental goals of AGRA: to access and privatise Africa's genetic wealth. Employing the theory of accumulation by dispossession explains why AGRA is appropriating African genetic wealth and the theory of philanthrocapitalism explains how that appropriation is occurring. This study employs philanthrocapitalism to show that the multiple acts of genetic resource expropriation are neither disparate nor unconnected, but rather, reflect a systemic change of replacing public agricultural sectors with private business practices and control.
Ovarian follicular dominance in cattle: relationship between prolonged growth of the ovulatory follicle and endocrine parameters

In cattle, the development of ovarian follicles 5 mm or larger occurs in either two or three consecutive follicular waves per estrous cycle. When the luteal phase is artificially lengthened with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (CIDR) that maintains subluteal levels (i.e. levels of progesterone that are below normal luteal levels, but higher than basal follicular phase levels), prolonged development of the ovulatory follicle is observed. To study the endocrinological correlates of prolonged follicular dominance and to test the hypothesis that it is mediated by effects of plasma progesterone on LH pulse frequency, heifers (n = 6/group) were treated with blank CIDRs (no progesterone, control group), with one CIDR for 14 days from day 14 of the cycle (1 CIDR group), or with one CIDR for 14 days from day 14 plus a second CIDR during days 24-28 (2 CIDR group). Cycle length was significantly longer in the 1 and 2 CIDR groups than in the controls (30.2 +/- 0.2 and 31.8 +/- 0.5 vs. 21.6 +/- 0.4 days,...
Influence of chlordimeform on alpha-adrenergic receptor-associated mechanisms of hormonal regulation in the rat: pituitary and adrenocortical secretion.

The acaricide chlordimeform (CDF) has been reported to have effects on the central nervous system that appear to involve an interaction with alpha-adrenergic receptor-mediated mechanisms of neurotransmission. The present study examined the effects of CDF on adrenocortical and pituitary prolactin secretion, which are known to involve central adrenergic receptors. Male Long-Evans rats were injected i.p. with 20 or 50 mg/kg CDF and killed after 1, 4, 8 or 24 h. Both noninjected and saline-injected controls were included. Dosing was structured so that trunk blood could be collected during the morning nadir of circulating corticosterone (CORT). Assays for plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), CORT and prolactin (PRL) showed that with 50 mg/kg, all three hormones rose sharply by 1 h. CORT increased in a dose-dependent fashion and declined over the ensuing 8 h. Other rats were treated with the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phenoxybenzamine (PBZ, 20 mg/kg) or the alpha-agonist clonidine (CLON, 0.6 mg/kg) 40 min before and killed 1 h after CDF (25 mg/kg) injection. CLON was found to completely suppress the CDF-induced rise in CORT, while PBZ enhanced the CORT/ACTH response to CDF. CLON also significantly elevated PRL, an alteration not seen in the CLON-pretreated CDF rats. Dexamethasone was able to block the CDF-induced rise in CORT and significantly suppressed PRL levels in both saline- and CDF-treated groups. These effects indicate that CDF is interfering with a regulatory signal mediated by alpha-adrenergic receptor-associated activity.
Comparison of several methods for calculating vibration mode shape derivatives

Four methods for the calculation of derivatives of vibration mode shapes (eigenvectors) with respect to design parameters are described. These are finite-difference method, modal method, a modified modal method and Nelson's method. The methods are implemented in a general-purpose commercial finite-element program and applied to the following test problems: a cantilever beam and a stiffened cylinder with a cutout. Design variables are a beam tip mass, a beam root height, and specific dimensions of the cylinder model. The methods are compared on the basis of central processor (CP) seconds required to obtain the derivatives, and two of the methods are also evaluated for the rapidity of convergence. Data is presented showing the amount of CP time used to compute the first four eigenvector derivatives for each example problem. A scalar measure of the error in the mode shape derivative is defined, and numerical results illustrating the rapidity of convergence of the approximate derivative to the exact derivative are presented. Results indicate an advantage in using Nelson's method because this method is exact and requires less CP time, especially when derivatives with respect to several design variables are computed.
Pertussis toxin B-oligomer suppresses human immunodeficiency virus-1 Tat-induced neuronal apoptosis through feedback inhibition of phospholipase C-β by protein kinase C

Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 Tat is a multifunctional protein involved in viral replication, inflammation and apoptosis. Tat activates phospholipase C-β (PLC-β), presumably via a pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive G i protein, which is critical for neuronal apoptosis. In this study, we show that Tat-mediated intracellular Ca 2+ release in rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells and rat primary cortical neuronal cultures was abrogated by pretreatment with either pertussis toxin and/or its B-oligomer subunit (PTX-B), devoid of ADP ribosyltransferase activity. PTX-B pretreatment also inhibited intracellular Ca 2+ release by bradykinin and 2,4,6-trimethyl-N-( m -3-trifluoromethylphenyl) benzenesulfonamide ( m -3M3FBS), a director activator of phospholipase C. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PdBu) mimicked the PTX-B-mediated inhibition of m -3M3FBS-stimulated intracellular Ca 2+ increase, while inhibition of PKC by bisindolylmaleimide I hydrochloride (BIM) reversed the inhibitory action of PTX-B. Functionally, PTX-B reduced Tat-induced Bax and caspase-3 proteins and reduced cell apoptosis. We conclude that PTX inhibition of Tat-mediated intracellular Ca 2+ release is independent of ADP ribosylation of the G i protein via the A protomer, but mediated by the B-oligomer. Furthermore, PTX-B suppresses HIV-1 Tat-mediated apoptosis by reducing its activation of PLC-β through a PKC activation pathway.