cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reimagining the Village: Alloparenting and Community Involvement Among the Childfree

Many stigmas circulate regarding the voluntarily childless (childfree). As such, the positive roles these individuals play in the lives of children are often overlooked. This chapter provides a brief sociohistoric background of the childfree, as well as an evolutionary explanation of parenting, detailing the importance of alloparents and allomaternal care in the raising of human offspring. By combining this knowledge, an understanding unfolds of childfree individuals as alloparents in the world around them. By supporting parents and children, it becomes clear that the childfree actively engage as nonparent caregivers in their community – and as such, reimagine the village that raises the child.
Comparing the Content of, and Home Language Use Policies for Six GOLD®-Based Kindergarten Entry Assessments

Two consequentially related education policy topics in the United States are kindergarten entry assessments (KEAs) and the growing number of students who are “English learners” (ELs). In this study...
Tumor-Draining Lymph Secretome En Route to the Regional Lymph Node in Breast Cancer Metastasis

Background During metastasis, tumor cells metastasize from primary tumors to distant organs via the circulatory and the lymphatic systems. There is a plethora of information about metastasis through the circulatory system, however not much information is available about the tumor cells dissemination through the lymphatic system or the lymphatic microenvironment that aids in this process in breast cancer metastasis. Purpose The study designed to examine the tumor-derived secretome in lymph before reaching the draining lymph nodes. Methods Using a microsurgical technique, we have collected the lymph in transit from the primary tumor en route to the regional lymph node in animals with metastatic and non-metastatic mammary carcinoma and healthy controls. The lymph samples were subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis, bioinformatics, and pathway analysis. Results The metastatic tumor-draining lymph before its entry into the closest regional lymph node contain 26 proteins with >175-folds in abundance compared to lymph from non-metastatic tumor-bearing animals. Among these proteins were biliverdin reductase B, heat shock protein, coagulation factor XIII, lymphocytes cytosol protein 1, and aldose reductase. These proteins were not identified in the lymph from healthy animals. Pathways analysis revealed that cadherin-mediated endocytosis, acute phase response, junction signaling, gap junction, VEGF singling, and PI3K/AKT singling pathways are overrepresented in the lymph from metastatic tumor-bearing compared to the lymph from non-metastatic tumor-bearing animals. Among the significantly up-regulated proteins in the lymph from metastatic tumor-bearing animals were proteins that identified in exosomes include heat shock protein, enolase 1 alpha, S100, and biliverdin reductase B. One of the proteins significantly down-regulated in lymph from animals with metastasis is Kininogen, a known metastasis inhibitor protein. Conclusion Proteins and exosomal proteins in lymph draining a metastatic tumor are different from those in lymph draining non-metastatic tumors, and these proteins involved in pathways that regulate tumor cells migration and invasion.
Aflatoxin — induced alteration in the levels of membrane chemicals of subcellular organelles isolated from excised, incubated Glycine max, cv. ‘Essex’ roots

Isolates of aflatoxin-producing strains of Aspergillus grow on autoclaved and field-grown (lesser extent) Glycine max beans. Both mixed and aflatoxin B1 inhibit G. max, cv. ‘Essex’ bean germination and elongation of either attached or excised cultured roots. Because B1 impairs the latter roots' ability to intracellularize [14C]-leucine, it may alter plasmalemma structure and/or function. To determine whether incubation of excised roots for 18 hours in toxin-containing medium could affect cellular membrane chemical content, organelles were isolated by differential centrifugation (1 000, 40 000, and 80 000 xg) of homogenates and characterized chemically. Statistically significant differences between treated and untreated roots in acid insoluble protein but not either sterol or lipid phosphorus levels were observed for both 40,000 and 80,000 xg pellets. Protein and sterol recoveries were 81 (treated) and 84 (untreated) % for the former and 77 (treated) and 79 (untreated) % for the latter. Lipid phosphorus recoveries were 87.3 (treated) and 136 (untreated) % with and 96 (treated) and 83 (untreated) without membrane stabilization. Protein:sterol:lipid phosphorus were 35.7∶4.5∶1 (1 000 xg), 18.9∶3.6∶1 (40000 xg), 26.3∶4.6∶1 (80 000 xg) and 1,010∶29∶1 (80 000 xg supernatant) for untreated and 36.9∶3.3∶1 (1,000 xg), 23.1∶3.8∶1 (40 000 xg), 36.2∶4.8∶1 (80 000 xg) and 1,053∶21.7∶1 (80 000 xg supernatant) for treated roots. Significant differences in RNA content between treated and untreated roots were found for both 1 000 and 40 000 xg pellets but not for the 80 000 xg pellet and its supernatant. Whereas a significant increase in the 1 000 xg pellet occurred upon treatment, a decrease was noted for the 40 000 xg pellet but not for the 80 000 xg pellet and its supernatant. Similar pH 6 (plasmalemma marker enzyme) and 9 (mitochondrial marker enzyme) K+-stimulated ATPase activities were demonstrated for 40 000 and 80 000 xg pellets. The 1 000 xg pellet contained greater than 50% of the NADH-cytochrome c-reductase activity (endoplasmic reticulum marker enzyme) recovered from fractions examined for this activity which was absent from the 40 000 xg pellet. Both the 80 000 xg pellet and its supernatant possessed equivalent reductase activities. Inosine diphosphatase activity (dictyosome marker enzyme) was not present in 1 000 xg pellets obtained from either treated or untreated roots but was in both 40 000 and 80 000 xg pellets. Based on these results, a tentative assignment of organelles to each fraction (xg force) is reported.
Strategies to improve participation of older adults in cancer research

Cancer is a disease associated with aging. As the US population ages, the number of older adults with cancer is projected to dramatically increase. Despite this, older adults remain vastly underrepresented in research that sets the standards for cancer treatments and, consequently, clinicians struggle with how to interpret data from clinical trials and apply them to older adults in practice. A combination of system, clinician, and patient barriers bar opportunities for trial participation for many older patients, and strategies are needed to address these barriers at multiple fronts, five of which are offered here. This review highlights the need to (1) broaden eligibility criteria, (2) measure relevant end points, (3) expand standard trial designs, (4) increase resources (e.g., institutional support, interdisciplinary care, and telehealth), and (5) develop targeted interventions (e.g., behavioral interventions to promote patient enrollment). Implementing these solutions requires a substantial investment in engaging and collaborating with community-based practices, where the majority of older patients with cancer receive their care. Multifaceted strategies are needed to ensure that older patients with cancer, across diverse healthcare settings, receive the highest-quality, evidence-based care.
Wernicke's encephalopathy after sleeve gastrectomy

As bariatric surgery is becoming a more sought-after treatment for morbid obesity, Wernicke's Encephalopathy (WE) is becoming more recognized complication of bariatric surgery. WE is a classic triad of symptoms of ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, and acute confusion due to thiamine deficiency. Bariatric surgery has its own complications in the form of vitamin deficiencies. Thiamine deficiency following bariatric surgery can present as WE. We present a case of 20-year-old young man, who presented after a short period of 3 months after sleeve gastrectomy with symptoms of diplopia and dizziness. The diagnosis was confirmed by the immediate resolution of the neurological symptoms after thiamine administration.
A Shielded-Block Preconditioner for Reduced-Domain Layered-Medium Integral-Equation Methods

A shielded-block preconditioner is adopted to reduce the iteration count of layered-medium integral-equation (LMIE) solvers that include dense metallization layers in the Green’s functions. Similar to other sparse block preconditioners, the preconditioner is suitable for integration with parallel LMIE solvers to facilitate the analysis of full-size package models. The performance of the preconditioner is demonstrated by analyzing a via array extracted from a full-size package model.
Reimagining robotic walkers for real-world outdoor play environments with insights from legged robots: a scoping review.

Purpose For children with mobility impairments, without cognitive delays, who want to participate in outdoor activities, existing assistive technology (AT) to support their needs is limited. In this review, we investigate the control and design of a selection of robotic walkers while exploring a selection of legged robots to develop solutions that address this gap in robotic AT. Method We performed a comprehensive literature search from four main databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and IEEE Xplore. The keywords used in the search were the following: "walker", "rollator", "smart walker", "robotic walker", "robotic rollator". Studies were required to discuss the control or design of robotic walkers to be considered. A total of 159 papers were analyzed. Results From the 159 papers, 127 were excluded since they failed to meet our inclusion criteria. The total number of papers analyzed included publications that utilized the same device, therefore we classified the remaining 32 studies into groups based on the type of robotic walker used. This paper reviewed 15 different types of robotic walkers. Conclusions The ability of many-legged robots to negotiate and transition between a range of unstructured substrates suggests several avenues of future consideration whose pursuit could benefit robotic AT, particularly regarding the present limitations of wheeled paediatric robotic walkers for children's daily outside use.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONChildren with lower limb disabilities can benefit from assistive technology designed for daily usage in outdoor surroundings.An extension of existing robotic assistive technology that allows the user to travel safely on irregular surfaces both indoors and outdoors is needed.Approaches used to solve research problems in the field of robotics (outside of the rehabilitation area) can be used to address problems that robotic assistive technology currently faces.There is a need for more research on the development of robotic assistive technology for children with mobility impairments without cognitive delays.
Use of Carbon Nanoparticles to Improve Soil Fertility, Crop Growth and Nutrient Uptake by Corn (Zea mays L.)

The use of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) as a fertilizer synergist to enhance crop growth has attracted increasing interest. However, current understanding about plant growth and soil response to CNPs is limited. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CNPs at different application rates on soil properties, the plant growth and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of corn (Zea mays L.) in two agricultural soils (Spodosol and Alfisol). The results showed that CNPs affected corn growth in a dose-dependent manner, augmenting and retarding growth at low and at high concentrations, respectively. The amendment at the optimal rate of 200 mg CNPs kg−1 significantly enhanced corn growth as indicated by improved plant height, biomass yield, nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency, which could be explained by the higher availability of phosphorus and nitrogen in the amended soils. The application of CNPs largely stimulated soil urease activity irrespectively of soil types. However, the responses of dehydrogenase and phosphatase to CNPs were dose dependent; their activity significantly increased with the increasing application rates of CNPs up to 200 mg kg−1 but declined at higher rates (>400 mg kg−1). These findings have important implications in the field application of CNPs for enhancing nutrient use efficiency and crop production in tropical/subtropical regions.
Towards a Methodology for Stabilizing the Gaze of a Quadrupedal Robot

When a quadrupedal robot moves, the body and head pitch, yaw and roll, because of its stepping. This natural effect of body and head motion adversely effects the use of visual sensors embedded in the robot's head. Any object in the visual frame of the robot will, from the perspective of the robot, be subject to considerable unmodeled motion or slip. This problem does not affect mammals, which have vestibulo-collic and vestibulo-ocular reflexes that stabilize their gaze in space and maintain objects of interest approximately fixed on the retina. Our work is aimed towards constructing an artificial vestibular system for quadrupedal robots to maintain accurate gaze. This paper describes the first part of this work, wherein we have mounted an artificial vestibular system in a Sony aibo robot.
Salmonellae Associated with Further-processed Turkey Products

“Further-processed” turkey products, prepared from chilled, eviscerated, and thawed carcasses at two commercial turkey-processing plants, were evaluated, for the presence of salmonellae. These organisms were isolated from swab samples from 12% of chilled, eviscerated turkey carcasses, 27% of finished products, and 24% of processing equipment. The same serotypes as those found throughout a plant on any one visit were recovered from 31% of rinse-samples taken from hands and gloves of processing personnel. Salmonellae were found in samples taken on 37 of 48 visits; a greater number of recoveries were made on days when freshly killed turkeys were processed (87%) than when frozen-defrosted carcasses were processed (59%). The predominant serotype isolated from meat and environment usually changed from visit to visit. Salmonella sandiego and Salmonella anatum were the most frequent among 23 serotypes recovered. Most of the isolated serotypes are commonly associated with turkeys and have been incriminated as causative agents of human salmonellosis. The implication is that further-processed turkey products, if inadequately cooked by the consumer and if improperly refrigerated between the time of manufacture and consumption, could directly transmit salmonellae. These same products might also contaminate other foods by introducing salmonellae into food-preparation areas.
The Torsin Activator LULL1 Is Required for Efficient Growth of Herpes Simplex Virus 1

TorsinA is a membrane-tethered AAA+ ATPase implicated in nuclear envelope dynamics as well as the nuclear egress of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). The activity of TorsinA and the related ATPase TorsinB strictly depends on LAP1 and LULL1, type II transmembrane proteins that are integral parts of the Torsin/cofactor AAA ring, forming a composite, membrane-spanning assembly. Here, we use CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering to create single- and double knockout (KO) cell lines of TorA and TorB as well as their activators, LAP1 and LULL1, to investigate the effect on HSV-1 production. Consistent with LULL1 being the more potent Torsin activator, a LULL1 KO reduces HSV-1 growth by one order of magnitude, while the deletion of other components of the Torsin system in combination causes subtle defects. Notably, LULL1 deficiency leads to a 10-fold decrease in the number of viral genomes per host cell without affecting viral protein production, allowing us to tentatively assign LULL1 to an unexpected role that precedes HSV-1 nuclear egress. IMPORTANCE In this study, we conduct the first comprehensive genetic and phenotypic analysis of the Torsin/cofactor system in the context of HSV-1 infection, establishing LULL1 as the most important component of the Torsin system with respect to viral production.
Action‐Individuation and Doxastic Agency

In this article, I challenge the dominant view of the importance of the debate over action-individuation. On the dominant view, it is held that the conclusions we reach about action-individuation make little or no difference for other debates in the philosophy of action, much less in other areas of philosophy. As a means of showing that the dominant view is mistaken, I consider the implications of accepting a given theory of action-individuation for thinking about doxastic agency. In particular, I am interested in the implications for thinking about the variety of evaluative control we can exercise over the formation of our doxastic attitudes. I show that our assumptions about how to individuate actions matters for how we think about doxastic agency and, hence, the conclusions we reach about action-individuation are of greater significance than some have thought.
The Future of Dry Eye Treatment: A Glance into the Therapeutic Pipeline

Dry eye syndrome is both a primary disease and a secondary result of many pathological states of the eye. The symptoms range from mild to severe itching, burning, irritation, eye fatigue, and even vision loss that can lead to disability. Dry eye affects approximately 60 million people worldwide; as a result, medications to treat dry eye comprise approximately 15% of the ophthalmic pharmaceutical market. While doctors and patients eagerly await new treatments, pharmaceuticals in the pipeline are moving through the approval process with several promising drugs having completed phase 3 clinical testing. This review summarizes the findings of studies of the most promising, upcoming dry eye treatments in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials in the USA.
Saturn's neutral torus versus Jupiter's plasma torus

With the recent discovery of an atmospheric plume of H2O it is thought that Enceladus could deliver as much a 300 kg/s of neutral gas to Saturn's inner magnetosphere. Io is the source of roughly 1 ton/s of sulfur and oxygen gas at Jupiter. Despite the apparent similarity, the neutral/ion ratio at Saturn is 3 orders of magnitude higher than at Jupiter. We explore the flow of mass and energy at Saturn and Jupiter using a simplified homogeneous physical chemistry model to understand why these two system are so different. Our results suggest that ionization at Saturn is fundamentally limited by the slower corotational flow velocity at Enceladus, resulting in a factor of 4 lower ion pickup temperature. The net result of cooler ions at Enceladus is a cooler thermal electron population (∼2 eV) that is insufficient to generate significant ionization. Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.
Is hypermobility syndrome (HMS) a contributing factor for chronic unspecific wrist pain in a musician? If so, how is it evaluated and managed?

Objectives The musician complaining of chronic pain commonly presents with subtle and complicated findings. Joint hypermobility is common in these individuals. The diagnosis of joint hypermobility syndrome (HMS) does not merely involve joint laxity, but connective tissue impairment throughout the body as well as perhaps involving the neurological system. As the aging process gradually reduces joint laxity, chronic pain and various impairments may linger. This report investigates HMS as it relates to a case study involving a musician suffering with chronic joint pain and HMS. Methods Literature review and case description. Results HMS involves more than just joint laxity and may be the cause of various chronic pain dysfunctions. The prognosis for recovery from HMS is poor, but the education and psychological aspect is extremely beneficial to the patient's health and well-being. Conclusions This case report identified a musician with CUWP and HMS. Joint hypermobility syndrome does not merely involve joint laxity, but involves connective tissue impairment throughout the body as well as perhaps involving the body's neurological system. Joint hypermobility is common in musicians.
Extension of the Climate Prediction Center Long-Lead Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks to General Weather Statistics

Abstract The long-lead monthly and seasonal forecasts issued by the Climate Prediction Center literally pertain only to average temperature and total precipitation outcomes, but implicitly contain information regarding other quantities that are correlated with these two variables. This paper presents a method for estimating the conditional probability distribution for any such quantity that is a computable statistic of available daily climatological data, through weighted bootstrap resampling conditional on particular joint (temperature and precipitation) forecast probabilities. Examples illustrating implementation and particular results are provided.
Poliovirus: Growth in Non-Nucleate Cytoplasm

Cytoplasmic fragments were produced by micromanipulation of cells from a human amnion cell line cultured on coverslips. The cultures were infected with type 1 (Mahoney) poliovirus, and incubated for 7 hours with tritiated uridine (H3U). Fluorescent antibody to the poliovirus indicated antigenic sites in a number of non-nucleate fragments. By autoradiography the incorporation of H3U was demonstrated at some of the same sites. The occurrence of poliovirus antigen at the same site as induced synthesis of RNA in non-nucleate cytoplasm of mammalian cells indicates that poliovirus infection and growth occurred independently of immediate contribution from the nucleus.
Asexual Daphnia genomes expose something old, new, borrowed, and blue

Sex: what is it good for? Anthropocentric answers aside, this remains a central—and largely unanswered—question in evolutionary biology (1). Although asexual reproduction is phylogentically widespread among eukaryotes, none of these asexual lineages [with only a few arguable exceptions (2)] succeed like their sexually reproducing counterparts. In other words, asexual lineages are eventually destined for extinction. These incipient evolutionary failures are invaluable to evolutionary biologists, however, because by understanding the evolution of asexuals, something may be learned about the raison d’etre of sex itself. The “water flea” Daphnia pulex is one of a few model systems used to study the evolutionary maintenance of sex. Most lineages of D. pulex switch between sexual and asexual reproduction, but obligate asexuality has arisen multiple times in natural populations. In PNAS, Tucker et al. (3) describe their analyses of whole-genome sequences of 22 D. pulex lineages (11 sexuals and 11 asexuals) that reveal the molecular underpinnings and genomic consequences of asexuality in this species and illuminate why it is not a sustainable reproductive strategy.
Comparison of the analytical results from the Surveyor, Apollo, and Luna missions.

Chemical element composition and mineralogy of powdered lunar surface material, comparing Surveyor, Apollo and Lunik missions data
Mechanisms of Disease: update on the molecular etiology and fundamentals of parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis

Although the introduction of parenteral nutrition revolutionized the care of premature babies, long-term parenteral nutrition incurs the risk of life-threatening hepatic complications. The authors of this Review discuss the fundamentals of parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis, animal models of the disease, transporters crucial for bile acid homeostasis, and the molecular pathogenesis of this life-threatening condition. Since its introduction into clinical practice, parenteral nutrition has revolutionized the care of premature neonates. Serum transaminase and bilirubin levels are commonly elevated in infants on parenteral nutrition, but their normalization is typical in the setting of short-term administration of parenteral nutrition uncomplicated by sepsis. Premature infants who require long-term parenteral nutrition are, however, at severe risk for developing life-threatening hepatic complications. These complications include cirrhosis, liver failure, and the concomitant risks of sepsis, coagulopathy and death. Premature infants and those with short-bowel syndrome are most susceptible to these morbid outcomes. Although it has been more than a quarter of a century since parenteral nutrition was first introduced and its association with hepatic complications described, the precise etiology of parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis (PNAC) remains a mystery; however, our understanding of the molecular components that contribute to PNAC has improved substantially. In this Review, we summarize the fundamentals of PNAC, describe animal models of the disease, review the hepatic bile acid transporters that are crucial for bile acid homeostasis, and define the roles that endotoxin, genetics, and the components of parenteral nutrition are likely to have in the molecular pathogenesis of this life-threatening condition.
The synthesis of logical sensor specifications

A coherent automated manufacturing system needs to include CAD/CAM, computer vision, and object manipulation. Currently, most systems which support CAD/CAM do not provide for vision or manipulation and similarly, vision and manipulation systems incorporate no explicit relation to CAD/CAM models. CAD/CAM systems have emerged which allow the designer to conceive and model an object and automatically manufacture the object to the prescribed specifications. If recognition or manipulation is to be performed, existing vision systems rely on models generated in an ad hoc manner for the vision or recognition process. Although both Vision and CAD/CAM systems rely on models of the objects involved, different modeling schemes are used in each case. A more unified system will allow vision models to be generated from the CAD database. The model generation should be guided by the class of objects being constructed, the constraints of the vision algorithms used and the constraints imposed by the robotic workcell evironment (fixtures, sensors, manipulators and effectors). We propose a framework in which objects are designed using an existing CAGD system and logical sensor specifications are automatically synthesized and used for visual recognition and manipulation.
Dispersion of the drug in the liquid vitreous due to saccadic eye movements

The vitreous is a transparent gel that fills the posterior segment of the eye. With aging, the vitreous undergoes progressive liquefaction and thus more readily sloshes during eye motion [1]. In addition to its relevance to the problem of vitreous detachment [1], increased motion of the vitreous could have a profound effect on transport of drugs used to treat posterior segment eye diseases.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Experimental constraints on fourth generation quark masses

The existing bounds from CDF on the masses of the fourth generation quarks, t{sup '} and b{sup '}, are reexamined. The bound of 256 GeV on the t{sup '} mass assumes that the primary decay of the t{sup '} is into q+W, which is not the case for a substantial region of parameter space. The bound of 268 GeV on the b{sup '} mass assumes that the branching ratio for b{sup '}{yields}b+Z is very large, which is not only not true for much of parameter space, but is never true for b{sup '} masses above 255 GeV. In addition, it is assumed that the heavy quarks decay within the silicon vertex detector, and for small mixing angles this will not be the case. The experimental bounds, including all of these effects, are found as a function of the other heavy quark mass and the mixing angle.
Centrifugal gradients of rate and organization in human atrial fibrillation.

Introduction Animal studies show that atrial fibrillation (AF) may emanate from sites of high rate and regularity, with fibrillatory conduction to adjacent areas. We used simultaneous mapping to find evidence for potential drivers in human AF defined as sites with higher rate and regularity than surrounding tissue.
Silica under very large positive and negative pressures: Molecular dynamics simulations on parallel computers

A highly efficient multiresolution algorithm has been developed to carry out large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for systems with long-range Coulomb and three-body covalent interactions. The algorithm combines the reduced cell and fast multipole methods and multiple time-step approach. Pressure-induced structural transformation, loss of intermediate range order, and dynamcal correlations in SiO2, glass are investigated with the moleculardynamics method. At twice the normal density, the Si-O bond length increases, the Si O coordination changes from 4 to 6, and the O-Si-O band-angle changes from 109 to 90°. This is a tetrahedral-to-octahedral transformation, which was reported by Meade, Hemley, and Mao. Results for phonon density of states also reveal significant changes at high pressures. The multiresolution MD approach has been used to investigate the structural properties and mechanical failure in microporous silica. Structural correlations are characterized by the fractal dimension, internal surface area, and pore surface-tovolume ratio. Critical behavior at fracture is analyzed in terms of pore percolation, and kinetic roughening of fractured surface is also investigated.
The Elastic Character of the Homopolar Chemical Bond

An attempt is made to obtain frequencies of internal vibrations of some organic molecules by the consideration of certain mechanical systems.
Inhibition of intestinal tone, motility and prostaglandin biosynthesis by 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (TYA).

Abstract Microgram concentrations of 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (TYA) inhibited the spontaneous increases in tone which develop in isolated guinea-pig ileum and also inhibited intestinal motility in anesthetized guinea-pigs. TYA failed to block contractions of the ileum induced by various agonists including PGE 2 . It did, however, inhibit both the spontaneous liberation of spasmogenic substances from isolated ileum and the biosynthesis of PGE 2 from arachidonic acid. It is concluded that the inhibitory effects of TYA were exerted through inhibition of PG biosynthesis. Studies with antagonist drugs (atropine, methysergide and pyribenzamine) confirmed that the effects of intestinal PGs are, in the guinea-pig, largely exerted through a cholinergic mechanism.
Growth reduction in harvest-age, coniferous forests with residual trees in the western central Cascade Range of Oregon

To evaluate the relationship of overstory residual trees to the growth of unmanaged young-to-mature understory Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), the basal area and volume of 14 paired plots with and without residual trees were examined in the Willamette National Forest, Oregon. Residual trees were large survivors of the fires that initiated the understory between 55 and 121 yr ago. Understory stands were naturally regenerated and not managed in any way. High residual tree and understory densities were negatively associated with understory volume. The relation of density of residual trees to total understory and Douglas-fir basal areas and volumes was best described by a negative logarithmic function. The rate of decrease in total understory and Douglas-fir basal areas and volumes per individual residual tree became smaller with increasing residual-tree density. Predicted total understory volume reduction was 23% with five residual trees/ha and 47% with 50 residual trees/ha, averaging 4.6% and 0.9% per residual tree, respectively. After including the estimated volume growth of residual trees since initiation of the understory, stand volume was still 19% lower with five residual trees/ha and 41% lower with 50 residual trees/ha than in stands with no residual trees, averaging a reduction of 38% and 0.8% per residual tree, respectively. In mixed stands of Douglas fir and western hemlock, predicted Douglas-fir basal area and volume declined more rapidly than did total understory basal area and volume when residual-tree densities exceeded about 15 trees/ha. This difference was probably due to the relative shade-intolerance of Douglas fir. Predicted Douglas-fir volume reduction was 13% with five residual trees/ha and 75% with 50 residual trees/ha, averaging 2.6% and 1.5% per residual tree, respectively. The southern aspects had more than 150% the total understory basal area and volume and more than 200% the Douglas-fir volume and basal area of the northern aspects. Lower density and basal area of understory trees, particularly of dominant and codominant Douglas fir, were associated with increasing residual-tree densities. Given the same diameter at breast height (DBH), heights of Douglas fir were not related to residual trees. Regardless of understory age, understory volume was greatest in stands with the lowest understory densities. These results suggest that timber production in unthinned green-tree retention units may be reduced and may depend on the density of leave-trees. Thinning of understory trees is recommended to reduce growth loss from intraspecific competition.
Evaluation of Student Factors Associated with Pre-NAPLEX Scores

Objective: To examine relationships among students’ Pre-NAPLEX scores and prepharmacy, pharmacy school, and demographic variables to better understand factors that may contribute to Pre-NAPLEX performance. Methods: A retrospective review of pharmacy students’ Pre-NAPLEX scores, demographics, prepharmacy factors, and pharmacy school factors was performed. Bivariate (eg, ANOVA) and correlational analyses and stepwise linear regression were conducted to examine the significance of various factors and their relationship to Pre-NAPLEX score. Results: 168 students were included, with the majority being female (60.7%) and White (72%). Mean Pre-NAPLEX score was 68.95 ± 14.5. Non-Hispanic White students had significantly higher Pre-NAPLEX scores compared to minority students (p<0.001). Pre-NAPLEX score was correlated (p<0.001) to race/ethnicity (r=-0.341), PCAT score (r=0.272), and pharmacy school GPA (r=0.346). The regression model (adjusted R2=0.216; p<0.001) included pharmacy school GPA, academic probation, academic remediation, and PCAT composite. Conclusion: This study highlighted that select demographic, prepharmacy, and pharmacy school factors were associated with Pre-NAPLEX outcomes. Such factors may assist colleges/schools of pharmacy in identifying students who may be at risk for poorer NAPLEX performance and may need greater preparation.
The Syndrome of Familial Defects of Heart and Upper Extremities (Holt-Oram Syndrome)

Two families with familial defects of the heart and upper extremities and two sporadic cases of skeletal anomalies of the same type are reported. In the most complete and prototypal form the syndrome consists of a secundum atrial septal defect of moderate size and the so-called radial defect of the upper extremities. However, less complete forms exhibiting cardiac anomalies alone, skeletal defects alone, or a combination of certain features of both, have been observed. Formes frustes undoubtedly occur. The mode of inheritance seems to be autosomal dominant and of a high degree of penetrance. Chromosome studies have suggested an abnormality in the pair 16. Study of palm and sole prints have shown the abnormalities to be secondary to musculoskeletal defects and not likely to be genetically determined. The syndrome is probably much more common than is realized. Identification of cases leading to the affected families depends upon awareness of pediatricians and orthopedists of its existence and inclusion of a careful examination of the upper extremities in all instances of atrial septal defect.
The electrophoretic mobility of fixed tissue culture cells: studies with formaldehyde and osmium tetroxide.

Abstract The electrophoretic mobilities of three different tissue culture cell lines grown in stationary and suspension culture were measured before and after fixation with formaldehyde and osmium tetroxide. Differences or similarities in mobilities of cells from stationary or suspension culture were detectable before and after fixation. However, fixation causes a 10 to 50 per cent increase in mobility and the risks in evaluating cell surface properties on fixed cells are emphasized. The possible mechanisms for the effect of the fixatives on the electrokinetic properties of the cells are briefly discussed in terms of the affinity of the fixatives for charged groups at the cell surface.
“You don't know Jack”: Using 3D anthropometric modelling techniques to identify, assess and aid in the early resolution of safety issues relating to military vehicle design

Atkins' Advanced Assurance Modelling (AAM) methodology uses the JackTM 3D anthropometric modelling tool to provide tangible Human Factors (HF) assessments that identify safety issues early in the concept or design and bridge the gap between HF and other engineering disciplines, thus improving integration and facilitating the targeting of limited resources to focus on key project issues. This methodology has been used to conduct design assessments for new manufacturing facilities, aircraft maintenance tasks, and for both new and in-service vehicles for the UK MoD; specifically focusing on Panther, Bulldog and Scout SV vehicles. The MoD work has been focussed on identifying design issues that will impact on the safe operation and maintenance of, and emergency egress from the vehicles. This paper describes the work that Atkins has conducted to date to inform and support the MoD in ensuring the safety of current and future vehicles. The use of AAM enables traditionally complex, time-consuming, imprecise and expensive physical reviews to be conducted quickly, accurately, safely, at significantly lower cost and most importantly, early in the engineering lifecycle. Assessments can be conducted before a physical instantiation of the design has been implemented, requiring minimal MoD resource and intelligently informing trade-off, thus enabling design modifications to include mitigation quickly and at low cost. This work has resulted in better communication and integration between HF, safety and other engineering disciplines, with the ultimate results of safer vehicles, improved training and safer operations for UK Armed Forces personnel deployed in theatre and cost savings for the MoD, as demonstrated on the Scout SV Initial Assessment Phase 2 and tendering assessments. (5 pages)
Cesarean Delivery and the Risk–Benefit Calculus

Drs. Jeffrey Ecker and Fredric Frigoletto write that, as practicing obstetricians, they find that the risk that women are now willing to assume in exchange for a measure of potential benefit, especially for the neonate, has changed. For many, the level of risk of an adverse outcome that was tolerated in the past to avoid cesarean delivery is no longer acceptable. Jeffrey Ecker discusses the varied contributors to the ongoing increase in cesarean deliveries, the risks and benefits of this delivery method, and the decision-making process during pregnancy.
Energy feedstock characteristics of willow and hybrid poplar clones at harvest age.

Abstract Woody biomass feedstock produced from willow and hybrid poplar can be converted into bioenergy via thermochemical and biochemical processes. Variation in key properties that relate to the quality of biomass feedstock and determine its value for energy conversion were determined at rotation age (3 years), in 30 willow and seven hybrid poplar clones, grown in a short-rotation intensive culture (SRIC) system in central NY. Substantial clonal variation in the concentrations of nitrogen (2.9– 5.0 g kg −1 ), phosphorus (0.4– 0.8 g kg −1 ) potassium (1.2– 2.4 g kg −1 ), sodium (0.09– 0.20 g kg −1 ), calcium (3.9– 8.9 g kg −1 ), magnesium (0.2– 0.6 g kg −1 ), ash (13.2– 27.2 g kg −1 ) and bark percentage (3.6–8.1%) was found in stem (bark+wood) samples. A lower amount of variation was documented for specific gravity (0.33– 0.48 g cm −3 ) and percent moisture (49–56%). Bark had a higher concentration of inorganic elements and ash, relative to wood. Willow clones as a group had a higher specific gravity, bark percentage and calcium concentration relative to hybrid poplar clones, which had a higher potassium concentration. The two groups were similar in terms of the concentrations of other elements and ash. Clonal variation in these characteristics present opportunities for manipulating feedstock quality through selection, breeding and plantation management.
A Reduced Informationally Complete Set in the C ∗ -algebra Generated by Phase Space Fuzzy Localization Operators

We consider an effect algebra of phase space localization operators for a quantum mechanical Hilbert space that contains no non-trivial projections, and the C*-algebra generated by it. This C∗-algebra forms an informationally complete set in the original Hilbert space. Its elements are shown to have singular-value-based decompositions that permit their characterization in terms of limits of linear combinations of products of pairs of the phase space fuzzy localization operators. Through these results, it is shown that the informational completeness of the C*-algebra can be greatly reduced to the informational completeness of the set of products of pairs formed from the elements of the effect algebra.
Tritium-sensitive film autoradiography of guinea pig brain α2-noradrenergic receptors

Abstract Tritium-sensitive film autoradiography was used to determine the distribution of α-noradrenergic receptors (i.e. [3H] p-aminoclonidine binding sites) in guinea pig forebrain. α2-Receptors are heterogeneously distributed throughout the forebrain. Many limbic system structures, such as bed nucleus of stria terminalis, medial preoptic area, medial amygdaloid nucleus and lacunosum molecular layer in hippocampus were heavily labeled. We did not quantify receptor density in areas containing principally white matter but the optical density in those areas was similar to film background suggesting a very low receptor density. Low receptor concentrations were also found in areas that do not contain a high percentage of white matter, such as lateral septum and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus.
Untersuchung von Ölen im ultravioletten Licht

1. Es wurden 48 Proben Olivenol unter dem Einflus von ultraviolettem Licht bei standardisierten Bedingungen untersucht. 2. Die Moglichkeit des Nachweises raffinierten Oles in unraffinierten Olen nach dieser Methode wurde bestatigt. 3. Die Theorie, das Farbstoffe fur das Auftreten der Fluorescenz verantwortlich sind, wurde nicht bestatigt. 4. Die Versuchsergebnisse sprechen zugunsten der van Raalte'schen Theorie. Immerhin wird empfohlen, diese dahin zu erweitern, das sie auch auf das Vorhandensein von Sterin Rucksicht nimmt.
The effects of training and system parameter variables on pattern recognition of the vibrotactile array by the visually handicapped

A vision substitution system is under development which uses an array of miniature vibrating elements to present an image in tactile form to a visually-impaired person. The objective of this research is to determine and evaluate the effects of extended training and mode of the system on the performance of visually-impaired operators.
Mutation of the H-helix in antithrombin decreases heparin stimulation of protease inhibition

Blood clotting proceeds through the sequential proteolytic activation of a series of serine proteases, culminating in thrombin cleaving fibrinogen into fibrin. The serine protease inhibitors (serpins) antithrombin (AT) and protein C inhibitor (PCI) both inhibit thrombin in a heparin-accelerated reaction. Heparin binds to the positively charged D-helix of AT and H-helix of PCI. The H-helix of AT is negatively charged, and it was mutated to contain neutral or positively charged residues to see if they contributed to heparin stimulation or protease specificity in AT. To assess the impact of the H-helix mutations on heparin stimulation in the absence of the known heparin-binding site, negative charges were also introduced in the D-helix of AT. AT with both positively charged H- and D-helices showed decreases in heparin stimulation of thrombin and factor Xa inhibition by 10- and 5-fold respectively, a decrease in affinity for heparin sepharose, and a shift in the heparin template curve. In the absence of a positively charged D-helix, changing the H-helix from neutral to positively charged increased heparin stimulation of thrombin inhibition 21-fold, increased heparin affinity and restored a normal maximal heparin concentration for inhibition.
Spectroscopy of the 2E excited state of Cr3+ in alexandrite

Abstract We report the 2E polarized absorption and fluorescence line-narrowed spectra of Cr3+ in alexandrite in a magnetic field. We determine the g-tensor parameters and examine the excited state resonances and relaxation.
Endocrine Alterations in the Equine Athlete: An Update

Horses spend most of their day eating, standing, and occasionally exercising. Exercise can range from running in a pasture to athletic training. Under resting conditions, horses easily maintain the internal environment. The performance of work or exercise is a major physiologic challenge, a disturbance to homeostasis that invokes an integrative response from multiple organ systems. The response to exercise involves endocrine and neuroendocrine signaling associated with the short-term and adaptive control of many systems. The coordinated control of multiple physiologic variables is essential for achieving regulation to maintain the integrity of the internal environment of the body.
Thioether, Dinitrogen, and Olefin Complexes of (PNP)Rh: Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Exchange and Oxidative Addition Reactions

A variety of (PNP)Rh−L complexes (where L = organic sulfide or sulfoxide, dinitrogen, or tert-butylethylene) have been synthesized by trapping transient (PNP)Rh (1) in situ. Equilibrium studies established the relative affinity of the (PNP)Rh fragment (1) for various L in the following order (of decreasing affinity): Ph2SO > SBun2 > SPhMe > dibenzothiophene > SPh2 > benzothiophene > SPri2 > thiophene ≈ SButMe > SBus2 ≈ H2CCHCMe3 ≫ SBut2. Dinitrogen reacted with 1 to yield a mixture of terminal and bridging N2 complexes and was found to bind more strongly than SPri2. Reaction of (PNP)Rh(SPri2) (10) with PhHal led to the corresponding oxidative addition products (PNP)Rh(Ph)(Hal) (Hal = Cl, 18a; Hal = Br, 18b; Hal = I, 18c). The relative rates of oxidative addition of PhHal to 10 were found to be in the order PhI > PhBr > PhCl. Kinetic studies of the reaction of 10 with PhBr were consistent with the reaction proceeding via reversible dissociation of SPri2, followed by irreversible addition of PhBr. Evidence...
The isolation and characterization of mouse liver glyoxalase I.

Abstract The purification of glyoxalase I (S-lactoyl-glutathione methylglyoxal-lyase (isomerizing) EC 4.4.1.5) from DBA/1J mouse liver employing ion exchange and affinity chromatography is described. The enzyme was purified 1140-fold and it exhibits a specific activity of 2200 units/mg of protein. The activity was determined to be homogeneous by sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation and by polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The molecular weight is approximately 43 000 and the sedimentation coefficient is 3.4 S. Kinetic data are consistent with a one-substrate (hemimercaptal) reaction mechanism but do not rule out alternate branches at low substrate and free glutathione concentrations.
Alpha-deuteron model of the Li6 nucleus and the Be9(Li6, α)B11 reaction

Abstract The angular distributions of the particles emitted in (Li 6 , α) and (Li 6 , d) reactions are calculated under the assumption that they are stripping processes. An alpha-deuteron model of the Li 6 nucleus is used. The Coulomb effects of the interacting particles and the nuclear interaction between the outgoing particles are neglected. The derived formulae are compared with the experimental data of Leigh and Blair on the differential cross sections of the Be 9 (Li 6 , α) B 11 reaction. The general shapes of the calculated angular distributions are similar to those of the experimental data, but there is a lack of agreement between theory and experiment at large angles.
Semimicroscopic description of even Hg spectra

Abstract A qualitative description of the properties of the low lying states of the even nuclei around lead and tin isotopes is proposed in terms of protons (holes) coupled to a harmonic vibrator.