cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partial Replacement of Dietary Cholecalciferol with 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol on Broiler Chickens Subjected to a Coccidiosis Vaccine Challenge

SUMMARY The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of cholecalciferol (D3) and partial replacement of D3 with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) on performance, intestinal integrity, vitamin D status, and bone mineralization of chickens subjected to a coccidiosis challenge. Broiler chicks were allocated to battery brooders for a 21-d trial period. Experimental treatments consisted of a basal diet devoid of D3, plus D3 supplemented at 5 (Control), 50, 100, 150, and 200 μg D3 per kg of feed or the basal diet supplemented with D3 at 25, 50, 75, 100 μg D3/kg of feed in combination with 25, 50, 75, and 100 μg 25-OH-D3 per kg of feed, respectively. On day 7 of the study, all birds were orally gavaged with a commercially available live coccidiosis vaccine. The results of the present study, suggested that dietary D3 and 25-OH-D3 at concentrations above the control group (50–200 μg/kg of feed) were effective (P
Controlling Optical Forces between Evanescently Coupled PT-Symmetric Waveguides

We investigate optical forces between evanescently coupled optical waveguides with balanced gain and loss. This system reveals unusual properties, most notably the emergence of a tangential stress component parallel to the direction of wave propagation. © 2019 The Author(s)
Survey of Garden Center Customer Informational and Marketing Needs

Abstract A survey of garden center customers was conducted to identify what plant information and method of information presentation were most important, and reasons why customers shopped at a part...
A latent variable approach to potential outcomes for emergency department admission decisions

In emergency departments (EDs), care providers continuously weigh admissions against continued monitoring and treatment often without knowing their condition and health needs. To understand the decision process and its causal effect on outcomes, an observational study must contend with unobserved/missing information and a lack of exchangeability between admitted and discharged patients. Our goal was to provide a general framework to evaluate admission decisions from electronic healthcare records (EHRs). We describe admission decisions as a decision-making process in which the patient's health needs is a binary latent variable. We estimate latent health needs from EHR with only partial knowledge of the decision process (ie, initial evaluation, admission decision, length of stay). Estimated latent health needs are then used to understand the admission decision and the decision's causal impact on outcomes. For the latter, we assume potential outcomes are stochastically independent from the admission decision conditional on latent health needs. As a case study, we apply our approach to over 150 000 patient encounters with the ED from the University of Michigan Health System collected from August 2012 through July 2015. We estimate that while admitting a patient with higher latent needs reduces the 30-day risk of revisiting the ED or later being admitted through the ED by over 79%, admitting a patient with lower latent needs actually increases these 30-day risks by 3.0% and 7.6%, respectively.
Smartphones in Personal Informatics: A Framework for Self-Tracking Research with Mobile Sensing

Recent years have seen a growth in the spread of digital technologies for self-tracking and personal informatics. Smartphones‚ in particular, stand out as being an ideal self-tracking technology that permits both active logging (via self-reports) and passive tracking of information (via phone logs and mobile sensors). In this chapter, we present the results of a literature review of smartphone-based personal informatics studies across three different disciplinary databases (computer science, psychology, and communication). In doing so, we propose a conceptual framework for organizing the smartphone-based personal informatics literature. Our framework situates self-tracking studies based on their substantive focus across two domains: (1) the measurement domain (whether the study uses subjective or objective data) and (2) the outcome of interest domain (whether the study aims to promote insight or change in physical and/or mental characteristics). We use this framework to identify and discuss research trends and gaps in the literature. For example, most research has been concentrated on tracking of objective measurements to change either physical or mental characteristics, while less research used subjective measures to study a physical outcome of interest. We conclude by pointing to promising future directions for research on self-tracking and personal informatics and emphasize the need for a greater appreciation of individual differences in future self-tracking research.
Low level EPR dosimetry of a commercial sugar.

Abstract This work demonstrated the combined utility of empty tube subtraction, over-modulation, native signal subtraction and spectral filtration in low level dosimetry using commercial sugar samples. The native signal component was found to have an effective peak to peak equivalent of 150 mGy. If the zero dose native signal is accurately modeled and subtracted, the detection limit was estimated to be 0.2 Gy although intercept uncertainties were as low as 25 mGy. This was enabled by resultant slope uncertainties as low as 3% with residual variations of approximately 0.1 Gy.
An Association Between Hyperchloremia and Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose:While an association between hyperchloremia and worse outcomes, such as acute kidney injury and increased mortality, has been demonstrated in hemorrhagic stroke, it is unclea...
Chapter 5 – NIO

Publisher Summary This chapter introduces the main facilities of the New I/O packages. There are two important parts: the java.nio.channels , which introduces the , and the .nio , which introduces the . The exact point of the introduced in NIO is a way to poll a of clients all at once, to find out which ones need service. A represents a pollable I/O target such as a socket (or a file, or a device). Channels can registerinstance of class . The of one to ask among the set of channels which ones are currently ready to be serviced. That is the basic motivation for , both of which are part of the ava.nio.channels . The other major feature introduced in NIO is the . Just as selectors and channels give greater control and predictability of the overhead involved with handling many clients at once, more efficient, predictable I/O than is possible with the . This chapter also presents a client for the echo protocol that shows the use of , as well as the nonblocking features of , which show a server that uses the lector, , and . It also discusses the details of usage of the main abstractions, each in its own section. Furthermore, it introduces the (the channelized version of ).
Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria in Shenzhen City

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria in Shenzhen so as to provide the scientific basis for developing control strategies.Methods A retrospective study was conducted with the data on surveillance and incidence of imported malaria in Shenzhen during 2009-2013.The imported malaria cases were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods to indicate their distribution characteristics among different population groups,regions,and seasons.Results The number of imported malaria cases were 128 from 2009 to 2013,of which 77 cases (60.2％) infected with Plasmodiumfolciparum,44 cases(34.3％) with Plasmodium vivax,and 7 case(5.5％) with Plasmodium spp.not identified.Annual incidence of imported malaria and its proportion to total malaria cases were increasing in recent five years.Among the imported malaria cases,90 cases (70.3％) were imported from Africa,25 cases (19.5％) from Southeast Asia,12 cases(9.4％) from other provinces of China,and 1 case(0.8％) from South America.Imported malaria cases were reported in every district around Shenzhen areas,ranking from top to lowest,42,37,24,18,6 and 1 cases reported in Longgang,Nanshan,Baoan,Futian,Luohu and Yantian district respectively.The cases were occurred from January to December,and no seasonal incidence peak was observed during 2009-2013.The majority of malaria cases was male,the ratio of male to female was 7.5 ∶ 1,and about 88.3％(113/128) of the total cases were concentrated in 20～50 age groups.The exported labor workers and travelers for business from malaria endemic areas,such as Africa and South-east Asia,were of high risk to malaria.Totally 115 (89.8％) cases were laboratory confirmed while 13 (10.2％) clinically diagnosed,and the medium time from malaria onset to diagnosed by doctors was 5 d.About 95.3％ (122/128) patients received complete treatment with anti-malaria drugs in hospitals,however one patient died of P.falciparum malaria because of delayed diagnosis.Conclusion The management of imported malaria is very important in the elimination of malaria in Shenzhen.Imported malaria surveillance and health intervention should be conducted among travelers to malaria endemic area,meanwhile clinical medical staffs should receive more professional training to improve diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases. Key words: Malaria; Epidemiological study; Shenzhen
Peter König y José Luis Guzmán Dalbora (editores): Gustav Radbruch: penalista, filósofo, humanista, Ediciones Olejnik, Santiago de Chile, 2019. 196 páginas.

Recension del libro "Gustav Radbruch: penalista, filosofo, humanista" editado por Peter Konig y Jose Luis Guzman Dalbora.
Characteristics and perceptions of the US nurse practitioner hospitalist workforce

Background The use of nurse practitioners (NPs) as hospitalists has grown over the last two decades. Based on current educational preparation, certification, and scope of practice, the acute care NP is considered by professional standards the best prepared to care for the needs of acutely and critically ill patients. Little is known about this sector of the NP workforce. Purpose The study was designed to identify the NP hospitalist workforce's characteristics and describe the NP hospitalist workforce's perception of the work environment. Methods We deployed five questions in the 2019 American Association of Nurse Practitioners National NP Sample Survey. Of 880 respondents working in an eligible inpatient setting, 366 responded that they work as hospitalists caring for adult patients. Results Most respondents (n = 275, 74.7%) were certified in primary care. On-the-job training was the most common qualification to be an NP hospitalist (n = 274, 75%). The majority (n = 252, 68.9%) had a collaborative relationship with a physician at their site. Job satisfaction was significantly correlated with full utilization of one's education and practicing to the fullest extent of the state's scope of practice with an r(360) = .719, p = .00 (two-tailed). Implications for practice The prevalence of on-the-job training as the most common preparation for the hospitalist role suggests a need to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of NPs not initially educated as acute care NPs who work as hospitalists. Nurse practitioner educators should address the evolving workforce needs of both primary and acute care practice when planning and implementing educational programs.
Reactive Oxygen Species-Triggered Dissociation of a Polyrotaxane-Based Nanochelator for Enhanced Clearance of Systemic and Hepatic Iron

Chronic blood transfusions are used to alleviate anemic symptoms in thalassemia and sickle cell anemia patients but can eventually result in iron overload (IO) and subsequently lead to severe oxidative stress in cells and tissues. Deferoxamine (DFO) is clinically approved to treat transfusional IO, but the use of the iron chelator is hindered by nonspecific toxicity and poor pharmacokinetic (PK) properties in humans, resulting in the need to administer the drug via long-term infusion regimens that can often lead to poor patient compliance. Herein, a nanochelator system that uses the characteristic IO physiological environment to dissociate was prepared through the incorporation of DFO and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive thioketal groups into an α-cyclodextrin-based polyrotaxane platform (rPR-DFO). ROS-induced dissociation of this nanochelator (ca. 10 nm) into constructs averaging 2 nm in diameter significantly increased urine and fecal elimination of excess iron in vivo. In addition to significantly improved PK properties, rPR-DFO was well-tolerated in mice and no adverse side effects were noted in single high dose or multiple dose acute toxicity studies. The overall features of rPR-DFO as a promising system for iron chelation therapy can be attributed to a combination of the nanochelator's improved PK, favorable distribution to the liver, and ROS-induced dissociation properties into constructs <6 nm for faster renal elimination. This ROS-responsive nanochelator design may serve as a promising alternative for safely prolonging the circulation of DFO and more rapidly eliminating iron chelates from the body in iron chelation therapy regimens requiring repeated dosing of nanochelators.
The Rapid Rise in Cutaneous Melanoma Diagnoses.

Is the Melanoma Epidemic Real? The incidence of melanoma of the skin is 6 times as high as it was 40 years ago; mortality has stayed low. UV light exposure is the strongest environmental risk facto...
Printed Textile-Based Ag2O–Zn Battery for Body Conformal Wearable Sensors

Wearable electronics are playing an important role in the health care industry. Wearable sensors are either directly attached to the body surface or embedded into worn garments. Textile-based batteries can help towards development of body conformal wearable sensors. In this letter, we demonstrate a 2D planar textile-based primary Ag2O–Zn battery fabricated using the stencil printing method. A synthetic polyester woven fabric is used as the textile substrate and polyethylene oxide material is used as the separator. The demonstrated battery achieves an areal capacity of 0.6 mAh/cm2 with an active electrode area of 0.5 cm × 1 cm.
Meta Distributions—Part 2: Properties and Interpretations

In the companion letter (Part 1), we have defined and exemplified meta distributions (MDs) as a natural extension of the concepts of the mean and distribution of a random variable. Here we provide an in-depth discussion of the properties and interpretations of MDs. It includes original results on the calculation of MDs in the monotone case and two applications to simple Poisson wireless networks models.
Analysis of K alpha line emission from aluminum plasmas created by intense proton beams.

X-ray satellite line emission from targets irradiated by intense-light ion beams can be used to diagnose plasma conditions and beam properties. We present results from our analysis of spectroscopic measurements of x-ray K\ensuremath{\alpha} satellites emitted from a target irradiated by an intense-light ion beam. In this experiment, performed on the Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator-II device at Sandia, an Al target was irradiated with a 4--6 MeV proton beam with a peak power density of 1--2 TW/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. Up to 15% of the beam electrical current was in the form of carbon contaminants. A time-integrated spectrum was obtained with a resolution of \ensuremath{\lambda}/\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\lambda}g1200. In our analysis, collisional radiative equilibrium (CRE) calculations were performed to study the dependence of the Al K\ensuremath{\alpha} emission spectrum on plasma and beam properties. Good agreement is obtained between calculated satellite spectra and the emission features observed in the experimental spectrum. We find that excited states with M-shell spectator electrons contribute significantly to K\ensuremath{\alpha} satellite emission spectra, exhibiting relatively broad lines at wavelengths blueshifted with respect to those originating from ground-state configurations. Because of opacity effects, it is likely that only radiation emitted from the outer skin of the target plasma was seen by the detector in the experiment. It is also shown that resonant self-absorption can skew the spectrum towards apparent higher ionization stage. Our results suggest that emission spectroscopy of x-ray satellite lines from thin tracer layers offers a potentially valuable technique for determining plasma conditions in intense-light-ion-beam experiments.
Participatory learning: a paradigm for more human like learning

We discuss the participatory learning paradigm and emphasize the all-inclusive role of the currently beliefs in every aspect of the learning process. We describe how the acceptance mechanism determines which observations are used for learning based upon their compatibility with the current beliefs. We point out how this lead to more efficient learning. A prototypical example of a participatory learning system is introduced. We introduce the concept of a reviewer that monitors the performance of the system and gives it some independence from the current beliefs.
Effect of Sodium Chloride Concentration in an Agar Medium on Growth of Heat-Shocked Staphylococcus aureus

The numbers of Staphylococcus aureus 196E surviving heat treatment in milk for various times at 60 C were determined by plate count with normal and modified Staphylococcus Medium No. 110 (S-110), with Plate Count Agar (PCA), and by milk enrichment techniques. Portions of specific heated samples appeared to contain lower populations of S. aureus 196E when the survivors were enumerated with normal S-110 than with PCA. Similarly, the times at 60 C needed for total destruction of the culture suspension in the test milk appeared to be shorter when survival was determined with normal S-110 agar. The apparently lower thermal death times were found to be related to the NaCl content of the S-110 medium, because use of S-110 agar containing lesser concentrations of NaCl resulted in growth of larger numbers of heat-shocked S. aureus 196E.
Working mother‐infant interactions across the second year of life

Play interactions between 36 college-educated, middle-income, working mothers and their infants, who had attended nursery school since 1 month of age, were videotaped when the infants were 12, 18, and 24 months of age. The videotapes were coded for mother and infant looking at each other, vocalizing, affectionate play, and constructive play. Changes noted in the infants' play behaviors across this period included an increase in infant vocalizations and constructive play and a decrease in affectionate play. These results, together with corresponding decreases in the mothers' constructive and affectionate play behavior, suggest growing autonomy of the infants' play and encouragement of autonomy by the mothers. Stability of behaviors across this period and stability of relations between infant and mother behaviors were only moderate. Comparison of these data with data from a study by Clarke-Stewart and Hevey (1981) suggested greater frequency of interactive behavior among working mothers and their infants than among nonworking mothers and their infants.
A Simplified Statistical Model for the Geomagnetic Field and the Detection of Shallow Bias in Paleomagnetic Inclinations: was the Ancient Magnetic Field Dipolar?

The assumption that the time-averaged geomagnetic field closely approximates that of a geocentric axial dipole (GAD) is valid for at least the last 5 million years and most paleomagnetic studies make this implicit assumption. Inclination anomalies observed in several recent studies have called the essential GAD nature of the ancient geomagnetic field into question, calling on large (up to 20%) contributions of the axial octupolar term to the geocentric axial dipole in the spherical harmonic expansion to explain shallow inclinations for even the Miocene. In this paper, we develop a simplified statistical model for paleosecular variation (PSV) of the geomagnetic field that can be used to predict paleomagnetic observables. The model predicts that virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) distributions are circularly symmetric, implying that the associated directions are not, particularly at lower latitudes. Elongation of directions is North-South and varies smoothly as a function of latitude (and inclination). We use the model to characterize distributions expected from PSV to distinguish between directional anomalies resulting from sedimentary inclination error and from non-zero non-dipole terms, in particular a persistent axial octupole term. We develop methodologies to correct the shallow bias resulting from sedimentary inclination error. Application to a study of Oligo-Miocene redbeds in central Asia confirms that the reported discrepancies from a GAD field in this region are most probably due to sedimentary inclination error rather than a non-GAD field geometry or undetected crustal shortening. Although non-GAD fields can be imagined that explain the data equally well, the principle of least astonishment requires us to consider plausible mechanisms such as sedimentary inclination error as the cause of persistent shallow bias before resorting to the very expensive option of throwing out the GAD hypothesis.
The mass of the Mars-sized exoplanet Kepler-138 b from transit timing

Transit timing reveals the masses for the three small planets orbiting the star Kepler-138. Kepler-138, a red dwarf in the constellation of Lyra, hosts three validated transiting exoplanets, two that are similar in size to Earth and one that is Mars-sized. Daniel Jontof-Hutter et al. have calculated the masses and sizes of all three — one of them for the first time. Calculating the masses of small rocky planets is more difficult than for large gaseous planets. These authors obtained planetary masses using the effect of their mutual gravities, which causes transits to occur slightly earlier or later than in the absence of gravitational effects. The innermost, Mars-sized planet, Kepler 138 b, has a mass of about 0.066 times that of the Earth, and is the smallest exoplanet to have its density measured. The middle and outer planets, Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 d, are both slightly larger than Earth. Extrasolar planets that pass in front of their host star (transit) cause a temporary decrease in the apparent brightness of the star, providing a direct measure of the planet’s size and orbital period. In some systems with multiple transiting planets, the times of the transits are measurably affected by the gravitational interactions between neighbouring planets1,2. In favourable cases, the departures from Keplerian orbits (that is, unaffected by gravitational effects) implied by the observed transit times permit the planetary masses to be measured, which is key to determining their bulk densities3. Characterizing rocky planets is particularly difficult, because they are generally smaller and less massive than gaseous planets. Therefore, few exoplanets near the size of Earth have had their masses measured. Here we report the sizes and masses of three planets orbiting Kepler-138, a star much fainter and cooler than the Sun. We determine that the mass of the Mars-sized inner planet, Kepler-138 b, is Earth masses. Its density is grams per cubic centimetre. The middle and outer planets are both slightly larger than Earth. The middle planet’s density ( grams per cubic centimetre) is similar to that of Earth, and the outer planet is less than half as dense at grams per cubic centimetre, implying that it contains a greater portion of low-density components such as water and hydrogen.
Focus and the LF of NP quantification

He also notes that the determiners introducing weak NPs have a special, what he calls 'cardinal ' reading. For instance, few in few children in ( 1a) does not mean the same as few in the parti tive NP few of the c h ildren; whereas in the latter the determiner picks out a certain proportion of the children, in the former it means something like 'few in number' . Milsark shows, however, that once we change the environment, it becomes possible to in terpret few in few ch ildren very much like few in a partitive NP. Such a reading is optionally available if the NP is the subject of a so-called Stage Level (SL) predicate, as in (2a) :
Role of the D-alanyl carrier protein in the biosynthesis of D-alanyl-lipoteichoic acid.

D-Alanyl-lipoteichoic acid (D-alanyl-LTA) is a widespread macroamphiphile which plays a vital role in the growth and development of gram-positive organisms. The biosynthesis of this polymer requires the enzymic activation of D-alanine for its transfer to the membrane-associated LTA (mLTA). A small, heat-stable, and acidic protein that is required for this transfer was purified to greater than 98% homogeneity from Lactobacillus casei ATCC 7469. This protein, previously named the D-alanine-membrane acceptor ligase (V. M. Reusch, Jr., and F. C. Neuhaus, J. Biol. Chem. 246:6136-6143, 1971), functions as the D-alanyl carrier protein (Dcp). The amino acid composition, beta-alanine content, and N-terminal sequence of this protein are similar to those of the acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) of fatty acid biosynthesis. The isolation of Dcp and its derivative, D-alanyl approximately Dcp, has allowed the characterization of two novel reactions in the pathway for D-alanyl-mLTA biosynthesis: (i) the ligation of Dcp with D-alanine and (ii) the transfer of D-alanine from D-alanyl approximately Dcp to a membrane acceptor. It has not been established whether the membrane acceptor is mLTA or another intermediate in the pathway for D-alanyl-mLTA biosynthesis. Since the D-alanine-activating enzyme (EC 6.1.1.13) catalyzes the ligation reaction, this enzyme functions as the D-alanine-Dcp ligase (Dcl). Dcl also ligated the ACPs from Escherichia coli, Vibrio harveyi, and Saccharopolyspora erythraea with D-alanine. In contrast to the relaxed specificity of Dcl in the ligation reaction, the transfer of D-alanine to the membrane acceptor was highly specific for Dcp and did not occur with other ACPs. This transfer was observed by using only D-[14C]alanyl approximately Dcp and purified L. casei membranes. Thus, D-alanyl approximately Dcp is an essential intermediate in the transfer of D-alanine from Dcl to the membrane acceptor. The formation of D-alanine esters of mLTA provides a mechanism for modulating the net anionic charge in the cell wall. Images
Cartilage segmentation of 3D MRI scans of the osteoarthritic knee combining user knowledge and active contours

A technique for segmentation of articular cartilage from 3D MRI scans of the knee has been developed. It overcomes the limitations of the conventionally used region growing techniques, which are prone to inter- and intra-observer variability, and which can require much manual intervention. We describe a hybrid segmentation method combining expert knowledge with directionally oriented Canny filters, cost functions and cubic splines. After manual initialization, the technique utilized 3 cost functions which aided automated detection of cartilage and its boundaries. Using the sign of the edge strength, and the local direction of the boundary, this technique is more reliable than conventional 'snakes,' and the user had little control over smoothness of boundaries. This means that the automatically detected boundary can conform to the true shape of the real boundary, also allowing reliable detection of subtle local lesions on the normally smooth cartilage surface. Manual corrections, with possible re-optimization were sometimes needed. When compared to the conventionally used region growing techniques, this newly described technique measured local cartilage volume with 3 times better reproducibility, and involved two thirds less human interaction. Combined with the use of 3D image registration, the new technique should also permit unbiased segmentation of followup scans by automated initialization from a baseline segmentation of an earlier scan of the same patient.
Structural reforms and price liberalization in Mexican agriculture

This paper shows that the policy changes introduced by the Mexican Government in the mid-1980s induced a reduction in the profits of the crop subsector. A simple simulation exercise revealed that, under price liberalization of the four crops studied, the demand for agricultural labour will decline by 6 per cent (equivalent to about 360,000 agricultural workers); the supply of maize is expected to decline by about 11 per cent while the corresponding declines of wheat, sorghum, and beans will be 22, 13, and 5 percent, respectively. The use of fertilizer is also expected to decline to two thirds of its current use. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An alternative approach to distance geometry using L ∞ distances

A standard task in distance geometry is to calculate one or more sets of Cartesian coordinates for a set of points that satisfy given geometric constraints, such as bounds on some of the L 2 distances. Using instead L ∞ distances is attractive because distance constraints can be expressed as simple linear bounds on coordinates. Likewise, a given matrix of L ∞ distances can be rather directly converted to coordinates for the points. It can happen that multiple sets of coordinates correspond precisely to the same matrix of L ∞ distances, but the L 2 distances vary only modestly. Practical examples are given of calculating protein conformations from the sorts of distance constraints that one can obtain from nuclear magnetic resonance experiments.
Development of an avian calcitonin radioimmunoassay using synthetic chicken calcitonin as immunogen

Abstract 1. 1. A sequential double antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed using synthetic chicken calcitonin (CT) as antigen, tracer and standard. 2. 2. The immunoassay has a minimum detection limit of 0.5 ng and effective dose ( ed 50 ) of 7 ng Serial dilutions of chicken and turkey plasma were parallel to serial dilutions of CT standard. Extracts of chicken and turkey ultimobranchial glands caused parallel displacement of tracer similar to synthetic CT. fli]3. Primary antisera (anti-chicken CT) was raised in guinea pigs immunized with RIBI; animals treated with Freund's complete adjuvant failed to respond. 3. 4. Chicken CT was determined to have a half-life of 60 sec in the turkey hen. Development of a homologous RIA for avian CT will allow studies to elucidate the role of this hormone in birds.
Peripheral circulatory responses to 96 hours of eucapnic hypoxia in conscious sheep

Conscious sheep acclimatizing to hypoxia (PaO2 40 mm Hg, PaCO2 24 mm Hg) respond with increases in cardiac output (Qco) and cerebral blood flow lasting for 24 and 48 h, respectively. Coronary flow increases in a sustained fashion, while there are progressive decreases in renal, splenic and pancreatic flows. In the present study, 5 adult ewes were exposed to similar levels of normobaric hypoxia (PaO2 40 mm Hg) but the PaCO2 was maintained at eucapnic levels (32 mm Hg). VE increased (+210%) while VO2 decreased by 35%. Ventilatory sensitivity to CO2 was unchanged. Qco (thermodilution) was elevated for 96 h (+20%) as stroke volume was maintained at normoxic levels and heart rate increased (+36%). Pulmonary artery pressure increased (+35%) along with plasma catecholamine levels (+116-196%). There were sustained elevations of cerebral flow (radiolabelled microspheres) from 79.1 (+/- 9.2 SEM) to 121.6 ml X min-1 X 100 g-1 (+/- 10.8), coronary flow from 183 (+/- 22.1) to 373 ml X min-1 X 100 g-1 (+/- 46.3), diaphragm flow (+400%) and intercostal muscle flow (+186%) with no apparent redistribution of Qco. Therefore, the cardiac and peripheral circulatory response patterns are altered significantly in eucapnic hypoxia. The rate of O2 delivery to brain and several abdominal viscera is higher.
The Ministering Community as Context for Religious Education: A Case Study of St. Gabriel's Catholic Parish.

Abstract Based on interviews and surveys of two groups of lay pastoral leaders at one predominantly African-American Catholic Parish, this qualitative study explores the “learning organization” dynamics of the congregation based Peter Senge's (1990) description of the five disciplines of learning organizations (personal mastery, shared vision, unearthing mental models, team learning, and systems thinking). One significant finding is that the pastoral leaders consider “involvement in ministry” a major pathway for learning in the congregation. This praxis-oriented dynamic is discussed in light of religious education models proposed by Maria Harris, Charles Foster, Jack Seymour, and Donald Miller, and others.
The effects of constant light on EEG and seizure activity in the epileptic baboon

Abstract The effects of a change from a standard photoperiod (12:12 LD, 45 fc) to that of constant low level illumination (LL, 5 fc) on electroencephalographic activity (EEG), photic seizures and urine cortisol excretion were investigated in the baboon Papio papio . Unlike the normal circadian cycle, in which maximal urine cortisol excretion occurred at 08.00 h and minimal at 20.00 h, rhythms in cortisol excretion were free running under constant light, shifting an average of 2 h/week toward an earlier time of day. The rhythms in seizure susceptibility and EEG spectral power, which were found to be roughly in phase with urine cortisol under conditions of 12:12 LD, were also altered. Average sensitivity to seizures was found to be increased throughout the 24 h cycle, although no seizure responses were of the maximal severity obtained in 12:12 LD. A loss of rhythmicity and an overall decrease in total spectral power over the 1–60 c/sec range were observed in background EEG in the LL environment. An ‘instability’ in relative power within higher (15–30 c/sec) bands over time was also noted. These data suggesting loss of synchronizing cues may lead to disruption of background EEG and exacerbation of epileptic seizures.
Computer programs for eukaryotic gene prediction

Seven popular programs for gene prediction in eukaryotic organisms are described and evaluated on the basis of availability for in-house and on-line use and prediction accuracy. This report outlines generally applicable approaches to computational gene prediction and known limitations in this field.
Paired Mississippian Communities in the Lower Ohio Hinterland of Southern Illinois

Millstone Bluff and Hayes Creek are principal sites in a late Mississippian complex in the upper Bay Creek watershed in southern Illinois. These and other settlements represent a 13th century expansion of Mississippian settlement away from large stream valleys into remote interior locations. Although contemporaneous and very close to one another, these sites are very different and have a complex history. These two sites were explored in six seasons of excavation and here we summarize that work, focusing on commonalities and differences in architectural patterning and community structure. These reveal that the two sites appear to have varied as a function of nature of initial settlement, adherence to a village layout, and respective roles in the larger settlement system.
Ultrastructural Study and Description of Ovavesicula popilliae N. G., N. Sp. (Microsporida: Pleistophoridae) from the Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)1

A new genus and species of microsporidia, Ovavesicula popilliae n. g., n. sp., is described from the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, on the basis of studies by light and electron microscopy. Parasite development primarily occurs within the Malpighian tubules of larvae, and spores are formed in a sporophorous vesicle. Meronts have diplokaryotic nuclei, develop in direct contact with the host cell cytoplasm, and divide by binary fission. Sporonts have unpaired nuclei, develop within a thick sporophorous vesicle, and undergo synchronous nuclear divisions producing plasmodia with 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 nuclei. Cytokinesis of sporogonial plasmodia does not occur until karyokinesis is complete with 32 nuclei. Intact sporophorous vesicles are ovoid, containing numerous secretory products, and are surrounded by a persistent two-layered wall. The uninucleate spores are regularly formed in groups of 32, and the polar tube in each has six coils.
Characterization of lipid membrane dynamics by simulation: I. Torsion angle motions of the linear chains

The torsion angle motions, generated from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, of the two aliphatic chains of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) in its lipid monolayer were evaluated by comparing these motions to those of an equivalent isolated (free) n-alkane chain, and the same n-alkane chain in its crystal lattice. The time-dependent autocorrelation and (1,2)-, (1,3)-, (1,4)-, and (1,5)-cross-correlation functions were constructed to analyze the torsion angle motions. It was found that the torsion angle motions of the DMPC lipid monolayer aliphatic chains are intermediate to those of the free n-alkane chain and the same n-alkane chain in its crystal lattice, particularly for short correlation times. The torsion angle motions of the aliphatic chains of DMPC are also found to be essentially independent of the charge state on the head group. The linear aliphatic chains of a DMPC lipid monolayer behave most like the isolated n-alkane chains with respect to torsion angle flexibility, even though the pairs of aliphatic chains of each DMPC are part of an ordered monolayer assembly. The aliphatic chains of the DMPC molecules in their monolayer exhibit at least two types of wave motions. One of the wave motions is the same in form, though somewhat more diffuse, as a traveling wave found in n-alkane crystals. The other wave motion involves major torsion angle transitions, and has some characteristics of the soliton properties observed in n-alkane crystals near their respective melt transition temperatures. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Evaluation of a prototype VLSI tester

Abstract With the advent and ready accessibility of multi-project fabrication for NMOS and CMOS technologies, creation of custom very large-scale integrated circuits has become commonplace. The functional testing and characterization of the resulting parts requires, in general, an environment that is at least of the same order of complexity as the chip under test. General-purpose test equipment can be found in the industrial marketplace but the cost of such equipment is well into the $500000 range. Most testers cost over a million dollars. Many costly capabilities (such as per-pin electronics for measuring detailed analog properties of signals) are simply not required for functional prototype testing. This paper describes a general-purpose test stand, designed and built at the Santa Barbara campus of the University of California, to support functional testing and characterization of arbitrary NMOS and CMOS VLSI chips packaged with up to 40 pins. A prototype implementation of the tester is discussed; limitations and planned improvements are also presented.
Tensile behavior of Nafion and sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymer membranes and its morphological correlations

The tensile stress–strain behavior of Nafion 117 and sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymer (BPSH35) membranes were explored with respect to the effects of the strain rate, counterion type, molecular weight, and presence of inorganic fillers. The yielding properties of the two films were most affected by the change in the strain rate. The stress–strain curves of Nafion films in acid and salt forms exhibited larger deviations at strains above the yield strain. As the molecular weight of the BPSH35 samples increased, the elongation at break improved significantly. Enhanced mechanical properties were observed for the composite membrane of BPSH35 and zirconium phenylphosphonate (2% w/w) in comparison with its matrix BPSH35 film. The stress-relaxation behavior of Nafion and BPSH35 membranes was measured at different strain levels and different strain rates. Master curves were constructed in terms of plots of the stress-relaxation modulus and time on a double-logarithm scale. A three-dimensional bundle-cluster model was proposed to interpret these observations, combining the concepts of elongated polymer aggregates, proton-conduction channels, and states of water. The rationale focused on the polymer bundle rotation/interphase chain readjustment before yielding and polymer aggregate disentanglements and reorientation after yielding. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1453–1465, 2006
Effect of Concanavalin A on the sensitivity of mouse L cell surface glycoproteins to proteolysis

Abstract Binding of Concanavalin A to the outer membrane of mouse L cells is found to result in the protection of cell surface glycoproteins from proteolytic digestion by trypsin. Complete sensitivity to proteolysis, however, is restored after removal of bound Con A from the cells.
An Empirical Test of Ordinal Independence

In this article, we test Green and Jullien's (1988) Ordinal Independence (OI) Axiom, an axiom necessary for any rank-dependent expected utility (RDEU) model, including Cumulative Prospect Theory (Tversky and Kahneman, 1992). We observe systematic violations of OI (some within-subject violation rates of over 50%). These patterns of choice cannot be explained by any RDEU theory alone. We suggest that subjects are employing an editing operation prior to evaluation: if an outcome-probability pair is common to both gambles, it is cancelled when the commonality is transparent; otherwise, it is not cancelled. We interpret the results with respect to both original and cumulative prospect theory and the known empirical properties of the weighting function.
A smoking and health fair: implementation and evaluation.

Abstract A two-day health fair that focused entirely on the tobacco smoking habit was organized. Participating agencies offered information on smoking effects, cessation programs, and health screening to fair visitors. A visitor questionnaire indicated that the fair was successful in attracting both smokers and nonsmokers and that each group found information that was perceived as helpful. Issues involved in coordinating the project are discussed and suggestions for future smoking and health fairs are offered.
Adaptive control of uncertain systems with gain scheduled reference models and constrained control inputs

This paper develops a new state feedback model reference adaptive control approach for uncertain systems with gain scheduled reference models in a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) setting with constrained control inputs. A single Lyapunov matrix is computed for multiple linearizations of the nonlinear closed-loop gain scheduled reference system, using convex optimization tools. This approach guarantees stability of the closed-loop gain scheduled reference model. Adaptive state feedback control architecture is then developed, and its stability is proven for the case with constrained control inputs. The resulting closed-loop system is shown to have bounded solutions with bounded tracking error, with the proposed stable gain scheduled reference model. Sufficient conditions for ultimate boundedness of the closed-loop system are derived. A semi-global stability result is proved with respect to the level of saturation for open-loop unstable plants while the stability result is shown to be global for open-loop stable plants. Simulation results show that the developed adaptive controller can be used effectively to control a degraded turboshaft engine for large thrust commands, with guaranteed stability and proper tracking performance.
Synthesis and characterization of potent bivalent amyloidosis inhibitors that bind prior to transthyretin tetramerization.

The misfolding of transthyretin (TTR), including rate-limiting tetramer dissociation and partial monomer denaturation, is sufficient for TTR misassembly into amyloid and other abnormal quaternary structures associated with senile systemic amyloidosis, familial amyloid polyneuropathy, and familial amyloid cardiomyopathy. Monovalent small molecules that bind to one or both of the unoccupied thyroid hormone binding sites at the TTR quaternary structure interface stabilize the native state, raising the kinetic barrier for tetramer dissociation sufficiently that the rate of dissociation, and therefore amyloidosis, becomes slow. Bivalent amyloid inhibitors that bind to both binding sites simultaneously are reported herein. The candidate bivalent inhibitors are generally unable to bind to the native TTR tetramer and typically do not engage in monovalent binding owing to a strong inhibitor orientation preference. However, the TTR quaternary structure can assemble around several of the bivalent inhibitors if the inhibitor intercepts the protein before assembly occurs. Some of the wild-type TTR.bivalent inhibitor complexes prepared in this fashion retain a tetrameric structure when subjected to substantial denaturation stresses (8 M urea, 120 h). The best bivalent inhibitor reduced acid-mediated TTR (3.6 microM) amyloid fibril formation to 6% of that exhibited by TTR in the absence of inhibitor, a significant improvement over the approximately 30% observed for the best monovalent inhibitors (3.6 microM, 72 h). The apparent dissociation rate of the best bivalent inhibitor is effectively zero, consistent with the idea that TTR tetramer dissociation and inhibitor dissociation are linked-as a result of the inhibitor-templating tetramer assembly. X-ray cocrystal structures of two of the complexes demonstrate that the bivalent inhibitors simultaneously occupy both sites in TTR, consistent with the 1:1 binding stoichiometry derived from HPLC analysis. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that bivalent inhibitors could be useful; what resulted are the best inhibitors produced to date. In this context, molecules capable of intercepting TTR during folding and assembly in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum would be of obvious interest.
A 100-transistor quadruple grid oscillator

A three-dimensional power combiner consisting of four oscillator grids stacked in parallel is presented. The 5-GHz quadruple grid oscillator delivers an effective radiated power 6.5 dB greater than that of a single grid, with a corresponding frequency shift of less than 5%. Comparisons are made between a single, double, and quadruple grid oscillator. >
Study in Parkinson Disease of Exercise (SPARX): Translating high-intensity exercise from animals to humans

A burgeoning literature suggests that exercise has a therapeutic benefit in persons with Parkinson disease (PD) and in animal models of PD, especially when animals exercise at high intensity. If exercise is to be prescribed as "first-line" or "add-on" therapy in patients with PD, we must demonstrate its efficacy and dose-response effects through testing phases similar to those used in the testing of pharmacologic agents. The SPARX Trial is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, single-blinded, Phase II study that we designed to test the feasibility of using high-intensity exercise to modify symptoms of PD and to simultaneously test the nonfutility of achieving a prespecified change in patients' motor scores on the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The trial began in May 2102 and is in the process of screening, enrolling, and randomly assigning 126 patients with early-stage PD to 1 of 3 groups: usual care (wait-listed controls), moderate-intensity exercise (4 days/week at 60%-65% maximal heart rate [HRmax]), or high-intensity exercise (4 days/week at 80%-85% HRmax). At 6-month follow-up, the trial is randomly reassigning usual care participants to a moderate-intensity or high-intensity exercise group for the remaining 6 months. The goals of the Phase II trial are to determine if participants can exercise at moderate and high intensities; to determine if either exercise yields benefits consistent with meaningful clinical change (nonfutility); and to document safety and attrition. The advantage of using a non-futility approach allows us to efficiently determine if moderate- or high-intensity exercise warrants further large-scale investigation in PD.