cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Media policy in the 21st century: from nationalinterest to cultural stewardship

Este ensaio fornece um enquadramento para compreender as dinâmicas do seculo vinte e um da economia da comunicacao global. Ele possui quatro objetivos principais: (1) explicar a mudanca fundamental na regulacao da midia provocada pela globalizacao neoliberal; (2) descrever as operacoes das empresas transnacionais de midia comercial e mostrar como suas praticas e protocolos afetaram as instituicoes de midia em niveis local, nacional e regional; (3) identificar questoes que tem alcancado o primeiro plano das deliberacoes da politica de comunicacao, com respeito a expressao cultural e ao trabalho criativo; e (4) elaborar uma perspectiva alternativa de politica baseada no principio de gestao cultural.
1136 SERIAL MATURATION OF AUDITORY BRAINSTEM EVOKED POTENTIALS IN PRE-TERM INFANTS

The auditory brainstem evoked response to clicks matures to adult values within the first two years of life. To evaluate this procedure as a measure of nervous system maturation in premature infants, serial testing was done in 20 infants of 35 weeks or less gestational age. The children were tested at weekly intervals. Gestational age was determined by Dubowitz's criteria. Thirty normal fullterm infants served as controls. All subjects were tested with clicks of 80 dBSL at a stimulus rate of 9-12/sec and averaged by computer. Responses were obtainable in all infants over 30 weeks. The earliest waves noted were I, III, and V. Waves II, IV, and VI were unstable in early recordings. However, waves II, IV, and VI were present in over 50% of patients as they approached 40 weeks. The latency of wave V gradually decreased at a rate of about .2msec. per week to fullterm. However waves I and III approached relatively mature latencies earlier, at 34 to 37 weeks. The standard deviation for the latency of wave V was large. This value, contrary to previous reports, is a relatively insensitive measure of gestational age and may be influenced by perinatal factors. The appearance of the auditory brainstem evoked response at 30 weeks and the rapid serial decrease in its latency from 30 to 42 weeks gestational age suggest that this procedure can be useful in monitoring the maturity and serial development of the nervous system in the premature infant.
Drug Insight: statins and stroke.

Statins are potent inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis and can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes in high-risk patients. As discussed here, evidence suggests that statins, in addition to their lipid-lowering capacities, have nonlipid-mediated or pleiotropic roles in stroke prevention.
Enhanced Solubility and Oral Bioavailability of γ-Tocotrienol Using a Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SEDDS)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo performance of γ-tocotrienol (γ-T3) incorporated in a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) and to compare its enhanced performance to a commercially available product, namely Tocovid Suprabio™ (hereafter Tocovid), containing tocotrienols. The solubilization of γ-T3 was tested in a dynamic in vitro lipolysis model followed by in vitro cellular uptake study for the lipolysis products. In addition, in vitro uptake studies using Caco2 cells were conducted at different concentrations of γ-T3 prepared as SEDDS, Tocovid, or mixed micelles. γ-T3 incorporated in SEDDS or Tocovid was orally administered to rats at different doses and absolute oral bioavailability from both formulations were determined. The dynamic in vitro lipolysis experiment showed about two fold increase in the solubilization of γ-T3 prepared as SEDDS compared to Tocovid, which correlated with higher cellular uptake in the subsequent uptake studies. In vitro cellular uptake and in vivo oral bioavailability studies have shown a twofold increase in the cellular uptake and oral bioavailability of γ-T3 incorporated in SEDDS compared to Tocovid as a result of improvement in its solubility and passive uptake as confirmed by in vitro studies. In conclusion, incorporation of γ-T3 in SEDDS formulation enhanced γ-T3 solubilization and passive permeability, thus its cellular uptake and oral bioavailability when compared to Tocovid.
An Insight Into the Sialotranscriptome of Triatoma rubida (Hemiptera: Heteroptera)

The kissing bug Triatoma rubida (Uhler, 1894) is found in southwestern United States and parts of Mexico where it is found infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, invades human dwellings and causes allergies from their bites. Although the protein salivary composition of several triatomine species is known, not a single salivary protein sequence is known from T. rubida. Furthermore, the salivary diversity of related hematophagous arthropods is very large probably because of the immune pressure from their hosts. Here we report the sialotranscriptome analysis of T. rubida based on the assembly of 1,820 high-quality expressed sequence tags, 51% of which code for putative secreted peptides, including lipocalins, members of the antigen five family, apyrase, hemolysin, and trialysin families. Interestingly, T. rubida lipocalins are at best 40% identical in primary sequence to those of T. protracta, a kissing bug that overlaps its range with T. rubida, indicating the diversity of the salivary lipocalins among species of the same hematophagous genus. We additionally found several expressed sequence tags coding for proteins of clear Trypanosoma spp. origin. This work contributes to the future development of markers of human and pet exposure to T. rubida and to the possible development of desensitization therapies. Supp. Data 1 and 2 (online only) of the transcriptome and deducted protein sequences can be obtained from http://exon.niaid.nih.gov/transcriptome/Trubida/Triru-S1-web.xlsx and http://exon.niaid.nih.gov/transcriptome/Trubida/Triru-S2-web.xlsx.
SPARSE SIGNAL RECOVERY UNDER POISSON STATISTICS FOR ONLINE MARKETING APPLICATIONS

We are motivated by many applications such as problems that arise in online marketing applications, where the observations are governed by non-homogeneous Poisson models. We analyze the performance of a Maximum Likelihood (ML) decoder. We prove consistency and show an exponential rate of converge for sparse recovery in the high-dimensional Poisson setting. After verifying the efficiency of ML estimator empirically, we apply the ML decoder to study the dynamics of online marketing methods over time.
Optimal Depletion of an Uncertain Stock

to take inventory of the resource wealth of the United States.' This paper characterizes optimal extraction from a resource stock of uncertain size and examines the value of information about the size of the stock assuming costs and social preferences are known. Section 2 describes a method for determining the optimal extraction programme when there are no opportunities for exploration or storage of the resource. The model is an extension of the " cake-eating " problem analysed by Koopmans (1973) under conditions of certainty. Given fairly typical assumptions, the optimal rate of extraction when the resource stock is uncertain is less than the optimal rate for the expected value of the stock. That is, uncertainty implies a more conservative extraction policy. Exploration provides information about the cost and location of resource deposits and improves estimates of the total size of the resource endowment. The former aspect of exploration is discussed in Gilbert (1976). By specifying the efficient extraction programme conditional on a particular information structure, the analysis in Section 2 sets the stage for determining the value of exploration information about the size of the stock. This is the subject of Section 3. Conditions are derived that are necessary for efficient investment in exploration information. In particular, we show that if storage costs are negligible or if the marginal value of the resource is unbounded, it is always optimal to invest in exploration in order to maintain a stock of known reserves.
Immunosuppressive effects of extracellular adenosine on immune cells: Implications for the pathogenesis of ADA SCID and immunomodulation †

Signaling through extracellular adenosine receptors is believed to account for the wide-ranging effects of adenosine. Interest of immunologists in adenosine stems from the observation that ADA deficiency leads to the inheritable SCID syndrome, and the data reviewed here indicate that at least some of the characteristics of ADA-SCID may be a consequence of extracellular adenosine signaling. Studies of adenosine receptor and ADA-deficient mice may provide the genetic evidence necessary to implicate extracellular adenosine as an important mediator in pathogenesis of ADA SCID and in demonstration of selectivity of adenosine-based immunomodulating drugs.
Effects of Atrazine and Metolachlor on the Survivorship and Infectivity of Echinostoma trivolvis Trematode Cercariae

Parasites play important roles in ecosystems and can be impacted by chemical inputs. In a series of experiments, we examined the impact of two common herbicides, metolachlor and atrazine, on a host-parasite system consisting of the trematode, Echinostoma trivolvis and its two intermediate hosts, the snail Planorbella trivolvis and larval Rana spp. tadpoles. Metolachlor and atrazine are two widely used agricultural herbicides that inhibit the growth of pre-emergent vegetation. Residues of these pesticides are commonly found in water bodies near agricultural areas. In our first experiment in the laboratory, we examined changes in survivorship when free-living trematode cercariae were exposed to a low concentration (10 ppb: 15 ppb) and high concentration (85 ppb: 100 ppb) mixture of metolachlor and atrazine, respectively. These exposure levels were chosen to represent the higher end of levels that have been documented in aquatic systems. There was a significant decline in cercarial survivorship in the high concentration treatment at 14 hours. In our second experiment, we exposed the parasites, the second intermediate host tadpoles, or both the parasites and the tadpoles, to the pesticide mixtures for a maximum of 10 hours prior to infection and examined subsequent tadpole infection levels. The atrazine and metolachlor mixtures had no significant effects on parasite load, although newly shed cercariae were more likely than 10-hour-old cercariae to infect tadpoles. In our final experiment, we utilized outdoor mesocosms to expose parasites, infected snail hosts, and Rana sylvatica tadpoles to the pesticide mixtures for two weeks and examined differences in tadpole parasite loads. The pesticides had no significant effect on tadpole parasite loads in the mesocosms. Overall, our findings suggest that atrazine and metolachlor mixtures at the doses we examined do not significantly alter the short-term dynamics of Echinostoma trivolvis infection in aquatic systems.
Naegeli amylodextrin and its relationship to starch granule structure. II. Role of water in crystallization of B‐starch

Although native B-type starch loses its sharp X-ray pattern on strong drying, the wet Nageli amylodextrin prepared from such starch gives a sharp B-pattern, that is only slightly reduced in sharpness by complete drying. Nageli amylodextrin dried admixed with a noncrystalline “filler” (e.g., starch sirup) gives an X-ray pattern essentially identical to that of the wet amylodextrin, except that the 16-A (No. 1) ring is greatly reduced in sharpness and intensity. Failure of the B-structure to collapse during drying indicates that water is not intercalated between turns of a helix or otherwise required to maintain the geometry and packing arrangement of the starch molecular chains. Rather, for native starch granules or amylose fibers, water relieves intercrystallite strains and consequent crystallite distortion induced by strong drying. For Nageli amylodextrin, the small molecules of starch sirup can penetrate the interstices between crystallites and prevent strain build-up during drying. For native starch granules, the interstitial regions are gel-like in character and less permeable to starch sirup molecules. A model for B-starch is proposed, that employs intertwined (double) helices.
Brownian dynamics for gaussian random sources

Abstract Numerical brownian dynamics techniques are extended to the case of general gaussian random noise sources. No special form is assumed for either the random force correlation function or the interaction potentials present.
Tornadic storm avoidance behavior in breeding songbirds.

Summary Migration is a common behavior used by animals of many taxa to occupy different habitats during different periods [1]. Migrant birds are categorized as either facultative (i.e., those that are forced to migrate by some proximal cue, often weather) or obligate (i.e., those that migrate on a regular cycle) [2, 3]. During migration, obligate migrants can curtail or delay flights in response to inclement weather or until favorable winds prevail [4, 5], and they can temporarily reorient or reverse direction when ecological or meteorological obstacles are encountered [6]. However, it is not known whether obligate migrants undertake facultative migrations and make large-scale movements in response to proximal cues outside of their regular migration periods [3]. Here, we present the first documentation of obligate long-distance migrant birds undertaking a facultative migration, wherein breeding golden-winged warblers ( Vermivora chrysoptera ) carrying light-level geolocators [7, 8] performed a >1,500 km 5-day circumvention of a severe tornadic storm. The birds evacuated their breeding territories >24 hr before the arrival of the storm and atmospheric variation associated with it. The probable cue, radiating >1,000 km from tornadic storms [9–11], perceived by birds and influencing bird behavior and movements [12–14], is infrasound (i.e., sound below the range of human hearing). With the predicted increase in severity and frequency of similar storms as anthropogenic climate change progresses [15], understanding large-scale behavioral responses of animals to such events will be an important objective of future research.
Grading invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast: advantages of using automated proliferation index instead of mitotic count

Breast carcinomas are graded according to the “Nottingham modification of the Bloom–Richardson system” (SBR). The system is hindered, however, by lack of precision in assessing all three parameters including nuclear grade, mitosis, and tubular formation, leading to an element of subjectivity. Our objective was to evaluate a new grading system [the nuclear grade plus proliferation (N+P) system] for subjectivity, ease, and better representation of tumor biology. Its components are nuclear grade and automated proliferation index. Invasive ductal carcinomas, consisting of 137 SBR grade I, 247 grade II, and 266 grade III, were re-evaluated by the N+P system. The two systems were compared with each other and correlated with patients’ overall survival, tumor size, angiolymphatic invasion, lymph node status, and biomarker status including estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, p53, epidermal growth factor receptor, BCL-2, and Her-2. Although there was an agreement between the two systems with histologic and prognostic parameters studied, there was 37% disagreement when grading individual tumors. Fifty-three percent of SBR grade II tumors were “down-graded” to N+P grade I, and 7% were “up-graded” to N+P grade III. Distinction among the different histologic grades for overall survival curves was better indicated by the N+P than the SBR system.
From domain models to architecture frameworks

Thispaper &resses how domain analysis served to help create reusable architectures and components in the development of a real-time embealied system. The subject domain is portable winders communication devices. The paper discwrses this experience in terms of discovering and developing reusable @neworkr for this domain. Some interesting differences between this approach and what is usually suggested as a process for developing frameworks are described.
Towards an analytic solution of QCD; The glueball mass gap

Certain general features and beliefs concerning quantum chromodynamics are reviewed with he view to seeing whether the theory sense and whether its physical spectrum can be determined. A typical Green's function is represented as an expansion around the minima of the action, each term of which is divergent and requires renormalization. It is shown that even after renormalization, each of the series generated by expansion around a minimum is divergent and requires a summability procedure to make sense. The causality and analyticity of the resulting Green's function is then discussed. The ideas thus developed are shown to determine the position of the first singularity of the Green's function. (LEW)
Coexistent erythrasma, trichomycosis axillaris, and pitted keratolysis: An overlooked corynebacterial triad?

The simultaneous presence of erythrasma, trichomycosis axillaris, and pitted keratolysis is reported in two patients. The common bond is the presence of strains of aerobic corynebacteria, which have dermatologic but not microbiologic specificity. The possibility is raised that this triad of diseases may exist more often than previously realized.
The disciplining of reason's cunning: Kurt Wolff'sSurrender and Catch

Over two years ago, I agreed to write a review of Kurt Wolffs book. (The thing is overdue, I'd say; and, if I don't succeed in the present effort ("effort"? Yes, in a way; but a better term might be "test", even "trial", I'm sure he will not be grudging, nor begrudge me). That it is only now being done, and that I shall do so in the present way and at such length (for, as I write this, I know very well that I will be unable to stay the flow which his has started),?this calls for some explanation. Why only now, after all this time? I haven't (to my dismay) kept a diary, nor notes; not even a list of mullings-over: so, it is hard to say why I th?n (and then again and again) picked up the book, started reading, underlining, put it down, and on and on. My letters to Kurt (who has had hopes I would do this "review") are not very revealing, either: they record mainly regrets, apologies, excuses, and sundry pleas for forbearance. I felt guilty, of course; why not? If one agrees to do something, and then doesn't, then the thing is clear enough. But, then, there is that remarkable book; Surrender and Catch; and there is that remarkable person: Kurt H. Wolff, and both are maddening in their showing of "surrender and catch." All I shall say to the "why?" is this: I had wanted to write something finished, polished, and simply could not, not anything definitive, much less decisive. The book itself simply prevented that sort of thing; yet, to do less, to write (I thought) something unfinished, thoughts not fully formed or even half-baked, if cooked at all: this would do the book and Wolff a grave injustice. So, I held off, procrasti? nated thinking that if I could but finish studying the book, I could then proceed to write a finely tuned, terse, and altogether discerning review. But each time I picked it up, only a few pages would be read. . . Such a writing proved impossible. And Mildred Bakan's review says why, in another sense. Writing of his intention, she says:
The Transition to Collaborative Teaching.

The transition to a collaborative service delivery model is discussed. The model uses children’s literature and content material in a writing process approach to teaching oral and written language ...
Age-related degenerative functional, radiographic, and histological changes of the shoulder in nonhuman primates

Background Nonhuman primates have similar shoulder anatomy and physiology compared to humans, and may represent a previously underutilized model for shoulder research. This study sought to identify naturally occurring bony and muscular degeneration in the shoulder of nonhuman primates and to assess relationships between structural and functional aspects of the shoulder and measures of physical function of the animals. We hypothesized that age-related degenerative changes in the shoulders of nonhuman primates would resemble those observed in aging humans. Methods Middle-aged (n = 5; ages 9.4-11.8 years) and elderly (n = 6; ages 19.8-26.4 years) female vervet monkeys were studied for changes in mobility and shoulder function, and radiographic and histologic signs of age-related degeneration. Results Four out of 6 (4/6) elderly animals had degenerative changes of the glenoid compared to 0/5 of the middle-aged animals ( P = .005). Elderly animals had glenoid retroversion, decreased joint space, walked slower, and spent less time climbing and hanging than middle-aged vervets ( P P P = .001), had decreased fiber cross-sectional area ( P P = .085). Degenerative rotator cuff tears were not observed in any of the eleven animals. Discussion and conclusion The vervet monkey naturally undergoes age-related functional, radiographic and histological changes of the shoulder, and may qualify as an animal model for selected translational research of shoulder osteoarthritis.
Studies on myosin catalysis and modification

Abstract Stopped-flow and steady-state measurements are made in a number of situations of myosin catalysis. In ATPase, initial proton absorption seems to occur, but it is not stoichiometric with the myosin component. Capitalizing on the fact that ATP protects the “kill” SH group of myosin, but not the SH group(s) whose reaction activates Ca 2+ -ATPase, one can obtain exceptionally high activity from PCMB-modified myosin by presenting the enzyme substrate and modifier simultaneously and measuring the activity in stopped-flow apparatus. There are relatively slow (half-times of the order of seconds) initial transients in ATPase and ITPase activity, but not in methyl triphosphatase (MTPase) activity. MTPase is strongly activated by either Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ , but only the former activates ATPase and ITPase. Collectively, our observations suggest that the purine rings of ATP and ITP impress on the myosin active site conformations different from the “native.”
CENTRAL VENOUS THROMBOSIS: AN EARLY AND FREQUENT COMPLICATION IN CANCER PATIENTS BEARING LONG-TERM SILASTIC CATHETER. A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract Studies on catheter-related central venous thrombosis (CRCVT) have been focused mainly on clinically evident CRCVT due to occlusive thrombi, underestimating therefore the actual thrombosis prevalence. This prospective study was aimed at evaluating prevalence, timing and evolution of thrombosis, and identifying involved veins and risk factors in cancer patients (pts) undergoing percutaneous subclavian central venous catheterization (CVC) for chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition or both. We enrolled 127 consecutive pts requiring partially or totally implanted central venous silastic catheters. The Study protocol included peripheral phlebography (P) at day 8, 30 and every two months following CVC and/or when clinically indicated, along with peripheral and pullout P on catheter withdrawal. A quantitative scale was developed to evaluate thrombus grading in subclavian, innominate and cava veins. Age, sex, coagulation profile, tumor histotype, metastases, therapy, catheter type, and catheter insertion side were also investigated. Only pts who underwent at least two P were evaluated, and χ2 test was adopted for statistical analysis. Altogether, 95 pts were evaluable. CRCVT was observed in 63 95 (66%) pts. At day 8, 30 and 105 (representing the median days in which first, second and last P were performed) CRCVT was evidenced in 64%, 65% and 66% of the pts, respectively. Thrombus grading did not differ among first, second and last P. CRCVT was symptomatic in 4 63 (6%) pts. Thrombosis prevalence was higher in subclavian (97%) with respect to innominate (60%) or cava (13%) veins (p 14 16 ; 87.5%) than in right ones ( 49 79 ; 62%), p
Application of Fusion Algorithm to Human Lung Dynamics

This paper integrates computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and radiotherapy data for accurate simulation of spatio-temporal flow and deformation in real human lung. Specifically, it utilizes a mathematical formulation that fuses the CFD predictions of lung displacement with the corresponding radiotherapy data using the theory of Tikhonov regularization. The lung is assumed to behave as a poro-elastic medium with heterogeneous Young’s modulus. The CFD scheme utilizes a flow-structure interaction model to simultaneously solve the airflow equations and structural dynamics of the lung tissue, with allowance for interaction at the interface. The simulation is performed on a 3D lung geometry reconstructed from 4D CT scan dataset of real human patients. The predicted deformation is fused with inverse estimation data by means of the fusion algorithm to obtain the optimal results.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Collegiate COAs and Alcohol Abuse: Problem Drinking in Relation to Assessments of Parent and Grandparent Alcoholism

In a survey of college students (N = 860), significantly greater problem drinking was indicated by students who reported having a parent or grandparent diagnosed or treated for alcoholism. The highest rates of problem drinking were found among students who reported both an alcoholic parent and grandparent. Students who had experienced distress and family discord from parental alcohol abuse, though without a diagnosed alcoholic parent, also indicated greater problem drinking. The increased alcohol problems of students without a diagnosed alcoholic parent, however, were somewhat different from other children of alcoholics (COAs). Thus, different types of COAs must be considered in research, treatment, and prevention programs.
TOXICITY AND CARCINOGENICITY STUDIES OF NALIDIXIC ACID IN RODENTS

ABSTRACTToxicity and carcinogenicity studies of nalidixic acid, an antimicrobial agent used to treat bacterial infections of the urinary tract, were conducted in F344/N rats and B6C3F mice of each sex for 13 weeks or 2 years. In the 13–week studies, nalidixlc acid was administered at dietary concentrations ranging from 1,000 to 16,000 pp. Body weights of both rats and mice were reduced in the groups receiving diet containing 8,000 and 16,000 ppm, and feed consumption of rats in the highest treatment groups was approximately tw-thirds that of controls. Degeneration of the germinal epithelium in the seminiferous tubules of the testis was observed in male rats that received 16,000 ppm; no other compound-related histopathologic effects were observed in either species. TWo-year studies were conducted by feeding diets containing 0, 2,000, or 4,000 ppm nalidixic acid to groups of 50 rats and mice/sex/group. The average daily feed consumption was slightly reduced compared to control groups and resulted in approxi...
Theophylline reduces histamine release during pollen-induced rhinitis

In an attempt to understand how theophylline achieves its in vivo therapeutic effect, a double-blind crossover study of the effect of theophylline on the immediate response of the upper airways to challenge with antigen was performed. Ten subjects with allergic rhinitis were challenged with increasing doses of antigen extract, and their responses were assessed by counting the number of sneezes and measuring the level of histamine, N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-arginine-methyl ester-esterase activity, and kinin in nasal secretions. One-week premedication with theophylline led to serum levels in the therapeutic range (8 to 21 micrograms/ml). There were significant reductions in both the physiologic response to antigen challenge and the appearance of mediators in secretions after drug administration as compared to placebo. These data suggest that theophylline, at therapeutic blood levels, achieves at least part of its in vivo efficacy by reducing the release of histamine and other mediators from mast cells/basophils.
Estimating size distributions of building areas for natural hazards assessments

Abstract It is very helpful to be able to estimate the number of buildings in floor area size categories for various purposes in risk assessment, vulnerability reduction, emergency response, recovery and reconstruction planning. We compile a frequency distribution by floor area from a data set for 900,000 buildings using complete enumerations of buildings from several urban areas. Three models are fit to the data: the lognormal distribution and two regression models based on the negative exponential. A regression model estimating the percentage of buildings larger than a given size provides the best fit and is a useful technique for making predictions. Since estimates produced by regression techniques have known error distributions, the results will only be approximate. For places for which the building stock has considerably different characteristics from the data set, the parameters of the model will have to be recalculated. An actual example of an application of the model is presented.
Positive and Negative Goos-Hauml;nchen Shifts and Negative Phase-Velocity Mediums (alias Left-Handed Materials)

Summary On total reflection from a half-space filled with an isotropic, homogeneous, weakly dissipative, dielectric-magnetic medium with negative phase-velocity (NPV) characteristics, it is shown here that a linearly polarized beam can experience either a negative or a positive Goos-Hauml;nchen shift. The sign of the shift depends on the polarization state of the beam as well as on the signs of the real parts of the permittivity and the permeability of the NPV medium.
The Poster and the Poster: Critical Arts-Based Research as Dissensual Aesthetics

This essay articulates how arts-based inquiry acts as dissensual activity holding possibilities for the redistribution of the visible, audible, and sensible within knowledge production and dissemin...
Population consequences of fipronil and degradates to copepods at field concentrations: an integration of life cycle testing with leslie matrix population modeling.

The predominant data used in ecological risk assessment today are individual-based rather than population-based; yet environmental policies are usually designed to protect populations of threatened species or communities. Most current methods in ecotoxicology are limited by largely logistic/technology-driven requirements that yield data for a relatively small number of test species and end points that focus on acute lethality or sublethal nonproduction-based parameters (e.g., biomarkers, mutagenesis, genetic change, physiological condition). A contrasting example is presented here showing the predictive ability of meiobenthos-based full life cycle toxicity testing to extrapolate multi-generational effects of chemicals on variables of import to population growth and maintenance. Less than 24-h-old larvae of a meiobenthic copepod were reared individually in 96-well microplate exposures to parent and degradates of the phenylpyrazole insecticide fipronil. Survival, development rates, sex ratio change, fertili...
Sindbis virus I. Gene order of translation in Vivo

Abstract Ultraviolet (uv) radiation was used to map the order of translation in vivo of Sindbis virus genes and assign nonstructural proteins to specific RNA − complementation groups. The inactivation of synthesis of individual Sindbis virus proteins in the irradiated cell displayed single-hit kinetics. The target sizes for each protein (gene), relative to infectivity, are consistent with a model in which (i) each molecule of 42 S and 26 S polycistronic mRNA initiates protein synthesis at a single site, (ii) translation does not progress beyond a uvlesion (uracil dimer), and (iii) some critical amount of translation beyond the actual cleavage site may be required to achieve cleavage. A gene order for translation of Sindbis virus proteins, respectively, as: 5′ ns66ns86-ns75 3′ in vivo was deduced for nonstructural and structural proteins, respectively, as: 5′ nss-66-ns86-ns75 and5′ capsid-E2-E1 3′. Sindbis virus RNA − genetic complementation groups were assigned to nonstructural proteins as follows: 5′ ns66(G)-ns86(A)-ns75(B/F) 3′.
General and specific effects of amino acid starvation on the formation of undermodified Escherichia coli phenylalanine tRNA

Abstract The heterogeneity of undermodified phenylalanine tRNA produced in relaxed control E. coli during amino acid starvation was investigated. Examination of the RPC-5 elution profiles of tRNA Phe prepared from non-starved cells and cells starved of a variety of amino acids, including some known to be involved in the formation of modified bases revealed that: (1) only one species of fully modified tRNA Phe appears to occur in cells grown in enriched medium; (2) at least two chromatographically unique isoacceptor species are observed in addition to the normal tRNA Phe in starved cells; (3) the unique, undermodified species of tRNA Phe from leucine-starved cells, known to be deficient in dihydrouridine, pseudouridine, 2-thiomethyl- N 6 -( Δ 2 -isopentenyl) adenosine and 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl) uridine, co-elute with the unique species produced in cells starved of histidine or arginine or treated with puromycin or chloramphenicol; (4) additional unique species of tRNA Phe can be detected in methyl- and sulfur-deficient tRNA from methionine- and cysteine-starved cells; (5) analysis of phenoxyacetylated tRNA revealed that the chromatographically unique and normal species from starved cells contain subspecies deficient in 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl) uridine; and (6) using phenoxyacetylation as a means of effecting the resolution of undermodified subspecies, a total of at least ten chromatographically unique subspecies of tRNA Phe were detected in an organism that appears to possess only one gene for tRNA Phe . Taken together, the results support the view that there are both general and specific effects of amino acid starvation on the post-transcriptional modification of tRNA.
The Moderating Effect of Age on the 12-Month Prevalence of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders in Adults with a Lifetime History of Cancer

Objective To determine how age may modulate the association of a history of cancer with a 12-month history of anxiety and depressive disorders. Methods The authors used population-based, cross-sectional surveys, the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys. These surveys were conducted in the United States in 2001–2003 and included 16,423 adult participants, of whom 702 reported a cancer history. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview evaluated the presence of a 12-month history of anxiety and depressive disorders. Results Among those with a cancer history, older adults (≥60 years old) were less likely than younger adults (18–59 years old) to have a 12-month history of an anxiety or depressive disorder. Compared with their peers without cancer, younger adults with a cancer history had more anxiety (23.8% versus 13.9%) and depressive (16.0% versus 9.5%) disorders, whereas older adults with a cancer history had lower levels of anxiety (3.7% versus 6.3%) and depressive (1.9% versus 3.9%) disorders. In multivariable modeling, there was a statistically significant interaction between age group and cancer history, with the risk for anxiety and depressive disorders elevated in the younger age group with a cancer history (odds ratio: 5.84 and odds ratio: 6.13, respectively) but decreased in the older age group with a cancer history (odds ratio: 0.55 and odds ratio: 0.45, respectively). Conclusion The authors' findings suggest a considerable age-dependent variation with regard to anxiety and depressive disorders in adults with a cancer history. Investigation of the mechanisms contributing to this apparent age differential in risk could have important mental illness treatment implications in this population.
African-American parents' perceptions of partnership with their child's primary care provider.

Objective To identify family, provider, and healthcare setting characteristics associated with African-American parents’ perceptions of partnership with their child’s primary care provider. Study design Data were collected via a telephone survey of 425 African-American parents of 0- to 5-year-old children who had presented for a health visit 1 to 2 weeks earlier at participating pediatric primary care practices in Washington, DC. Parents’ perceptions of the level of partnership building by their child’s provider were assessed using the Street Provider Communication Style instrument. Results Multivariate logistic regression models indicated that, after adjusting for other family and provider/setting characteristics, parents seen in community health centers were more likely to report high partnership building compared with parents seen at private or hospital-based practices. Parents with at least a college education and those who described their child’s provider’s race as “other” were most likely to report moderate partnership building. Conclusions Future studies should examine elements of care delivery at community health centers that may lead to better partnerships between parents and providers in private and hospital- based practice settings.
Evolution of respiratory symptoms in New York Police Officers over eighteen months post 9/11

Context Respiratory symptoms have emerged as the most common physical sequel in 9/11 first responders. We assessed evolution of those symptoms over eighteen months in New York Police Officers (Hypos). Methods Initial survey (IS) in October 2001 included 1587 Hypos. 575 (36%) agreed to answer the follow-up survey (FUS) eighteen months later. NYPOs 9/11 exposure categories were: light (n = 69), moderate (n = 174) and high (n = 228) [category was not assigned in 70 participants]. Results Respondents were 38.9 ± 6.9 years old, 83.4% were males. They did not differ from nonrespondents by age, height or weight. Cough was the most common symptom reported by 43.5% and 43.5% of all officers at IS and FUS (p = 0.7), respectively. Occurrence within exposure groups in the order of severity was 24.6%, 42.5%, and 50% (p Conclusions While cough remained the most common and stable respiratory symptom, there was a significant increase in phlegm, wheezing and shortness of breath. This observation raises concern that respiratory injury may have progressed over time and requires further monitoring.
Hierarchical Trust Management for Wireless Sensor Networks and its Applications to Trust-Based Routing and Intrusion Detection

We propose a highly scalable cluster-based hierarchical trust management protocol for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to effectively deal with selfish or malicious nodes. Unlike prior work, we consider multidimensional trust attributes derived from communication and social networks to evaluate the overall trust of a sensor node. By means of a novel probability model, we describe a heterogeneous WSN comprising a large number of sensor nodes with vastly different social and quality of service (QoS) behaviors with the objective to yield "ground truth" node status. This serves as a basis for validating our protocol design by comparing subjective trust generated as a result of protocol execution at runtime against objective trust obtained from actual node status. To demonstrate the utility of our hierarchical trust management protocol, we apply it to trust-based geographic routing and trust-based intrusion detection. For each application, we identify the best trust composition and formation to maximize application performance. Our results indicate that trust-based geographic routing approaches the ideal performance level achievable by flooding-based routing in message delivery ratio and message delay without incurring substantial message overhead. For trust-based intrusion detection, we discover that there exists an optimal trust threshold for minimizing false positives and false negatives. Furthermore, trust-based intrusion detection outperforms traditional anomaly-based intrusion detection approaches in both the detection probability and the false positive probability.
Reactions of Laser-Ablated Rhenium Atoms with Carbon Dioxide: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Density Functional Calculations on OReCO, O2ReCO, ORe(CO)2, O2Re(CO)2, OReCO-, and ORe(CO)2-

Laser-ablated rhenium atoms react with CO2 molecules upon co-condensation in excess argon at 7 K and neon at 4 K. Besides neutral products [OReCO, O2ReCO, ORe(CO)2, and O2Re(CO)2], anionic species [OReCO-, ORe(CO)2-] are formed and identified through annealing, ultraviolet irradiation, isotopic substitution, and CCl4 doping experiments. DFT calculations have been performed on all product species, and the very good overall agreement between the calculated and the observed vibrational frequencies supports the product identifications.
Growth outcome and feeding practices of the very low birth weight infant (less than 1500 grams) within the first year of life.

Growth outcome for 1 year of corrected age and feeding practices during that first year of life were described for a large population of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Growth patterns of weight, length, and occipitofrontal circumference through 12 months of corrected age, and weight/length ratios at 12 months, were determined for 122 VLBW infants ≤1500 gm and ≤35 weeks of gestational age at birth; feeding practices were surveyed within a subpopulation of 89 infants. Differences in growth were apparent when infants were grouped according to sex and appropriateness of intrauterine growth. When the mean values of each group were compared, the female infants of appropriate size for gestational age demonstrated growth at higher percentiles (National Center for Health Statistics term-infant norms) for all three measurements (weight, length, and occipitofrontal circumference). Male infants whose size was appropriate for gestational age, and male and female infants who were small for gestational age, all grew similarly, at lower percentiles for weight and length, when compared with the same norms. Growth in occipitofrontal circumference was closest to term infant norms in all subgroups of infants. The majority of the infants, regardless of subgroup, achieved weights and lengths >5th percentile and proportionate growth with a normal weight/length ratio. At 12 months of corrected age, 30% remained at
A rapid dot immunoassay for detecting the Brazilian purpuric fever clone of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius with a 'flow through' device

Brazilian purpuric fever (BPF) is a highly fatal pediatric disease that may follow an episode of purulent conjunctivitis caused by a virulent clone of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius (Hae). Oral rifampin prophylaxis, by eliminating carriage of the BPF clone in children with conjunctivitis, may prevent onset of the systemic disease. A test to detect the BPF clone directly from eye swabs could indentify those in need of prophylaxis. This is a preliminary report of a rapid dot immunoassay performed on a “flow-through” cartridge that was developed for use under field conditions. The test is based upon recognition of a unique epitope of the 25-kDa pilin protein on the surface of BPF clone cells by a monoclonal antibody. With 36 laboratory-maintained cultures of Hae (15 clone isolates and 21 others), sensitivity of the assay was 67% and specificity was 95%. When fimbrial-enriched (25-kDa+) phenotypes of five false-negative clone strains were prepared for use as test antigens, sensitivity rose to 100%. Evaluation of the immunoassay under field conditions is necessary to prove its efficacy.
TEM observation of icosahedral, new crystalline and glassy phases in rapidly quenched CdCu alloys

Abstract TEM study of microstructures observed in rapidly solidified CuCd alloys in the compositional range between 37.2 to 60.5 at% Cd demonstrates for the first time: 1. 1. The formation of an icosahedral CuCd quasicrystalline phase; 2. 2. The existence of a tetragonal CdCu phase first identified by x-ray diffraction by Dey and Quader as the Cd 3 Cu 4 phase. 3. 3. The existence of a new CuCd cubic fcc phase with a giant unit cell of a ≅ 3.25 nm, close to the Cd 3 Cu 4 composition. 4. 4. Formation of Cu-37.2 at% Cd metallic glass. 5. 5. The possibility of forming giant unit cell crystalline structures from the melt and by solid-state precipitation during the limited times of rapid quenching.
Energy-aware routing in sensor networks: A large system approach

In many sensor networking environments, the sensor nodes have limited battery capacity and processing power. Hence, it is imperative to develop solutions that are energy-efficient and computationally simple. In this work, we present a simple static multi-path routing approach that is optimal in the large-system limit. In a network with energy replenishment, the largeness comes into play because the energy claimed by each packet is small compared to the battery capacity. This static routing scheme exploits the knowledge of the traffic patterns and energy replenishment statistics, but does not need to collect instantaneous information on node energy. We also develop a distributed solution of the optimal policy, as well as heuristics to build the set of pre-computed paths. The simulations verify that the static scheme outperforms leading dynamic routing algorithms in the literature, and is close to the optimal solution when the energy claimed by each packet is relatively small compared to the battery capacity.
Identification of ribonuclease P activity from chick embryos

RNAase P (EC 3.1.26.5) activity has been identified in chick embryo thigh tissue on the basis of specific cleavage of Escherichia coli 129 nucleotide tRNATyr precursor and has been partially purified by the procedure used for human tissue culture KB cell RNAase P. RNAase P from chick resembles the KB cell RNAase P in substrate specificity, requirement for a divalent cation (Mg2+) and a monovalent cation (K+, Na+ or NH4+) for activity, inhibition by bulk tRNA, ready inactivation by proteases, and increasing instability with purification. RNAase P activity is also present in whole chick embryos, as well as in liver and heart tissues. Furthermore, crude preparations of RNAase P from chick embryo heart tissue are relatively free of contaminating nucleases.
The Repeatability of Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analyses for Complex Probabilistic Risk Assessments

The performance of a probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) for a nuclear power plant is a complex undertaking, involving the assembly of an accident frequency analysis, an accident progression analysis, a source term analysis, and a consequence analysis. Each of these analyses is, in itself, quite complex. Uncertainties enter into a PRA from each of these analyses. An important focus in recent PRAs has been to incorporate these uncertainties at each stage of the analysis, propagate the subsequent uncertainties through the entire analysis, and include uncertainty in the final results. Monte Carlo procedures based on Latin hypercube sampling provide one way to perform propagations of this type. In this paper, the results of two complete and independent Monte Carlo calculations for a recently completed PRA for a nuclear power plant are compared as a means of providing empirical evidence on the repeatability of uncertainty and sensitivity analyses for large-scale PRA calculations. These calculations use the same variables and analysis structure with two independently generated Latin hypercube samples. The results of the two calculations show a high degree of repeatability for the analysis of a very complex system.