cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impacts of metals and metalloids on insect behavior

In toxicology studies, the use of death as an endpoint often fails to capture the effects a pollutant has on disruptions of ecosystem services by changing an animal’s behavior. Many toxicants can cause population extinctions of insect species at concentrations well below the EC25, EC50, or EC90 concentrations traditionally reported from short-term bioassays. A surprising number of species cannot detect metal and metalloid contamination, and do not always avoid food with significant metal concentrations. This frequently leads to modified ingestion, locomotor, and reproductive behaviors. For example, some species show a tendency to increase locomotor behaviors to escape from locations with elevated metal pollution, whereas other insects greatly decrease all movements unrelated to feeding. Still others exhibit behaviors resulting in increased susceptibility to predation, including a positive phototaxis causing immatures to move to exposed positions. For purposes of reproduction, the inability to avoid even moderately polluted sites when ovipositing can lead to egg loss and reduced fitness of offspring. Ultimately, impaired behaviors result in a general reduction in population sizes and species diversity at contaminated sites, the exceptions being those species tolerating contamination that become dominant. Regardless, ecosystem services, such as herbivory, detritus reduction, or food production for higher trophic levels, are disrupted. This review evaluates the effects of metal and metalloid pollution on insect behaviors in both terrestrial and aquatic systems reported in a diverse literature scattered across many scientific disciplines. Behaviors are grouped by ingestion, taxis, and oviposition. We conclude that understanding how insect behavior is modified is necessary to assess the full scope and importance of metal and metalloid contamination.
The Dirichlet problem for a thin rectangle

We consider the Dirichlet problem for Laplace's equation in a rectangle with a view toward determining the asymptotic behaviour of the solution for the case in which the width of the rectangle is small in comparison with its length. Although the construction of an explicit representation of the solution is an elementary matter, the resulting formula is inconvenient for present purposes, and we accordingly proceed along different lines.
Migrant melodrama and Elvira Arellano

This article trains a theater/performance studies lens on the struggle to control public perception of Elvira Arellano and coins the term “migrant melodrama” to describe how key media coverage, cultural production and social performance in Arellano's case recycled nineteenth-century melodramatic tropes. Elements of the nineteenth-century sub-genres known as domestic melodrama, sensation melodrama and race melodrama were recycled and deployed by both supporters and detractors of the single mother who sought sanctuary in a Chicago church together with her US-born son, and even by Arellano herself. The result was a kind of casting competition that sought to impose moral clarity and resolution on a complicated, fraught issue that in fact remains far from resolved. On the one hand, melodramatic spectacles of suffering insist on a common humanity and make ethical claims for inclusion into an imagined community that may extend across national borders. Yet on the other hand, they can also backfire by unintentionally setting the price of inclusion at an impossibly high level of virtue.
Conformationally defined adrenergic agents I: Potentiation of levarterenol in rat vas deferens by endo- and exo-2-aminobenzobicyclo[2.2.2]octenes, conformationally defined analogs of amphetamine

Abstract Four conformationally defined analogs of amphetamine were synthesized and studied for their ability to potentiate the action of levarterenol on the isolated vas deferens from reserpine-treated rats. The compounds also were studied for indirect adrenergic agonist activity in the same test system. A definite stereochemical correlation was demonstrated in each case, the exo -isomers being considerably more active than their endo -counterparts both in potentiation and in indirect activity. The more active isomers of each pair correspond to an anti -periplanar conformation of amphetamine. The compounds are probably acting by inhibition of the neuronal amine uptake mechanism, since none of the compounds was a direct-acting agonist itself. These results are discussed in relationship to other previously reported, conformationally defined, amphetamine analogs.
Inequalities for nonideal correlation experiments

This paper addresses the “inefficiency loophole” in the Bell theorem. We examine factorizable stochastic models for the Bell inequalities, where we allow the detection efficiency to depend both on the “hidden” state of the measured system and also its passage through an analyzer. We show that, nevertheless, if the efficiency functions are symmetric between the two wings of the experiment, one can dispense with supplementary assumptions and derive new inequalities that enable the models to be tested even for highly inefficient experiments.
Preparation of “no-carrier-added” technetium-99m complexes: Determination of the total technetium content of generator eluents

Abstract The total concentration of pertechnetate in 99 Mo/ 99m Tc generator eluents can be readily determined by ion exchange HPLC with u.v. detection. Tracking of a 7450 mCi generator through its useful clinical life leads to values of [TcO 4 − ] in the range 10 −7 −10 −6 M, and values of the ratio (moles total technetium)/(mCi 99m Tc) in the range (3−35) × 10 −12 mol/mCi. Trace amounts (ca. 0.01%) of non-pertechnetate, 99m Tc-containing impurities are detected, and generators of one manufacturer yield eluents with a large number of u.v. absorbing impurities. The total concentration of pertechnetate in generator eluents is important in determining whether or not chemistry developed with macroscopic concentrations of 99 Tc “carrier” can be translated to the “no-carrier-added” 99m Tc level. Success or failure of this translation could depend on whether the reaction controlling product formation is first- or second-order in technetium concentration.
Nonmigraine-associated TRESK K+ channel variant C110R does not increase the excitability of trigeminal ganglion neurons

Recent genetic studies suggest that dysfunction of ion channels and transporters may contribute to migraine pathophysiology. A migraine-associated frameshift mutation in the TWIK-related spinal cord K+ (TRESK) channel results in nonfunctional channels. Moreover, mutant TRESK subunits exert a dominant-negative effect on whole cell TRESK currents and result in hyperexcitability of small-diameter trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons, suggesting that mutant TRESK may increase the gain of the neuronal circuit underlying migraine headache. However, the nonmigraine-associated TRESK C110R variant exhibits the same effect on TRESK currents as the mutant subunits in Xenopus oocytes, suggesting that dysfunction of TRESK is not sufficient to cause migraine. Here, we confirmed that the C110R variant formed nonfunctional channels and exerted a dominant-negative effect on TRESK currents in HEK293T cells, similar to the migraine-associated mutant TRESK. To compare the functional consequences of TRESK mutations/variants in a more physiological setting, we expressed the mutant TRESK and the C110R variant in cultured mouse TG neurons and investigated their effects on background K+ currents and neuronal excitability. Both mutant TRESK and the C110R variant reduced the endogenous TRESK currents in TG neurons, but the effect of the C110R variant was significantly smaller. Importantly, only TG neurons expressing mutant TRESK subunits, but not those expressing the C110R variant, exhibited a significant increase in excitability. Thus only the migraine-associated TRESK mutation, but not the C110R variant, reduces the endogenous TRESK currents to a degree that affects TG excitability. Our results support a potential causal relationship between the frameshift TRESK mutation and migraine susceptibility.
Communication networks in R & D Laboratories

Communication networks in R & D laboratories are shown to have structural characteristics, which when properly understood can be employed to more effectively maintain the laboratories' personnel abreast of technological developments. Informal relations and physical location are shown to be important determinants of this structure. Informal relations can be developed through formation of project teams and intergroup transfers and loans. The effect of physical location on communications is especially strong and should be given serious consideration when designing research facilities.
Zoledronic acid decreases bone formation without causing osteocyte death in mice

Bisphosphonates have been associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a potent bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (ZA) on osteocyte viability and bone formation. Ten experimental C57BL/6 mice were administered ZA (0.1 mg/kg-i.p.) weekly for 9 weeks while four control mice did not receive the drug. A pair of calcein (30 mg/kg) labels was administered 10 and 3 days prior to sacrifice of the 34-week-old mice. Fresh mandibular and femoral sections were obtained to evaluate osteocyte viability using a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. In addition, sections from the femur, mandible and maxilla were prepared for standard histomorphometry. The operator was blinded for data collection to eliminate bias. Data on necrotic area/total bone area from the LDH sections were collected. In addition, standard histomorphometric variables including bone formation rate were calculated. Mixed models were used to analyse data. The osteocytes were overwhelmingly viable and no necrotic areas were detected in the mandible and femur of both groups. ZA was not directly cytotoxic to the mouse osteocytes. There was suppression in indices of bone formation at all skeletal sites of the ZA group compared to the control group. While ZA administration in mice does not produce necrotic osteocytes, it severely suppresses bone formation. Such reductions can have a profound effect on bone healing.
Transport of a non-volatile contaminant in unsaturated porous media in the presence of colloids

Abstract Stable colloidal particles can travel long distances in subsurface environments and carry particle-reactive contaminants with them to locations further than predicted by the conventional advective-dispersive transport equation. When such carriers exist in a saturated porous medium, the system can be idealized as consisting of three phases: an aqueous phase, a carrier phase, and a stationary solid matrix phase. However, when colloids are present in an unsaturated porous medium, the system representation should include one more phase, i.e. the air phase. In the work reported, a mathematical model was developed to describe the transport and fate of the colloidal particles and a non-volatile contaminant in unsaturated porous media. The model is based on mass balance equations in a four-phase porous medium. Colloid mass transfer mechanisms among aqueous, solid matrix, and air phases, and contaminant mass transfer between aqueous and colloid phases are represented by kinetic expressions. Governing equations are non-dimensionalized and solved to investigate colloid and contaminant transport in an unsaturated porous medium. A sensitivity analysis of the transport model was utilized to assess the effects of several parameters on model behavior. The colloid transport model matches successfully with experimental data of Wan and Wilson. The presence of air-water interface retards the colloid transport significantly counterbalancing the facilitating effect of colloids. However, the retardation of contaminant transport by colloids is highly dependent on the properties of the contaminant and the colloidal surface.
Remodelling of the natural product fumagillol employing a reaction discovery approach

The natural product fumagillol has been exploited as a stereochemically rich scaffold for the synthesis of a structurally unique, chemically diverse library with chemotypes distinctly different from the parent structure. Thus, fumagillol has been remodelled into a diverse array of isoindoles, isoquinolines, furans, mopholinones and benzoxazepines.
Semen fertility--an evaluation system for artificial insemination sires, technicians, herds, and systematic fixed effects.

Abstract Semen fertility was evaluated on 4478 artificial insemination bulls using 2,007,520 breeding receipts for inseminations to 397,979 Holstein cows between January 1, 1978 and November 1, 1984 using mixed linear model methodology. Bulls differed on average by ±3.68% conception. Differences between herd-years ranged from 27.4 to −32.3% conception with an average difference of ±8.33%. Within herds, cow parity-service number accounted for the largest variation, ranging from 24.0% to −18.5% conception. June was the best month for conception (1.9) and January the poorest (−2.3), indicating effect of temperature and confinement in winter on estrous detection in the northeastern United States. Cows with intervals between repeat services of 21 d had conception rates 12% higher than intervals between repeat services of 11 d. Effect of month-year of semen collection varied by ±1.33% conception. Differences between technicians within years varied by ±3.37%. Results of the analysis indicate improved conception on dairy farms can be achieved by improved estrous detection, which is a major component of herd-year and service interval. Other components of the model contributed little to the variance in conception or are uncontrollable by farm management.
Temporal and spatial variability in the interaction between the checkerspot butterfly, Euphydryas chalcedona and its principal food source, the Californian shrub, Diplacus aurantiacus

The phenology of the Californian shrub, Diplacus aurantiacus has been shown to be closely tied to habitat water availability, and the life cycle of the checkerspot butterfly, Euphydryas chalcedona, is in turn tied to the phenological development of Diplacus. Here this relationship is further documented by showing how the activity patterns of both the shrub and the butterfly vary from year to year, but in synchrony, dependent on the breaking of the annual drought. The end of the feeding period for the post-diapause larvae coincides with flowering of Diplacus. At this time the quality of leaves as a food source for the larvae declines as nitrogen evidently moves from the leaves into plant reproductive parts. The abundance of leaves available as food for the larvae varies greatly with season. The few leaves present during the drought period, when the larvae are inactive, are low in nitrogen and high in resin content. Even during this period, though, these leaves contribute to the carbon economy of the plant. Of the leaves produced during the principal growing season, it is the youngest leaves with the highest nitrogen contents, and hence greatest potential carbon-gaining capacity, that have the highest resin contents. Larvae feed preferentially on the older, lower-resin-content leaves. It can be surmised thus that resin is a feeding deterrent and that its distribution within the plant results in the greatest protection of the plant's carbon-gaining capacity.
Selecting Retrieval Cues for Early-Childhood Amnesia: Implications for the Study of Shrinking Retrograde Amnesia

A method for selecting semantic cues for early childhood memories is presented. The written records of episodes submitted by the subjects in the study of Crovitz and Harvey (1979) were coded into three-word strings of words in accordance with the gist of the memories. Nouns which described many retrievals (Set A) and nouns which had described few retrievals (Set B) were presented to an independent group of young adults as prompts for early childhood episodes. Prompting with semantic cues gave a fast rate of retrieval, with nouns in Set A cuing early childhood memories more successfully than nouns in Set B. The difference between words in Set A and Set B was found not to be a function of the frequency of usage of these words in the language. Implications for selecting cues to prompt retrieval of memories during the period of shrinking retrograde amnesia are discussed.
ECONOMIC PROCESS CONTROL UNDER UNCERTAINTY

The future of the global industry lies in the continuous improvement of both products and processes, a renewed commitment to competition, and an aggressive approach to satisfying customers needs in quality, quantity, and timing. In quality management, the degree of customer satisfaction for a given product may be measured in the form of the loss to society. This loss is formulated as a function of the deviation from the target for each of the product's quality characteristics. The greater the variability of uncontrolled factors during manufacturing or production the larger will be that loss. In this paper, we develop a form of the loss function that takes into account the variability of a production process, the decision loss, and the costs of sampling and inspection. Specifically, we consider monitoring a production process, which may undergo continuous mean shift and variance deterioration during a production run. We then examine decision rules for continuing production or stopping and adjusting the production process.
System Design for Joint Attenuation and Scatter Imaging for BaggageInspection

Baggage inspection in security applications requires fast and accurate scanning systems. High performance of x-ray scatter imaging requires accurate knowledge of x-ray attenuation. We describe the design considerations for such systems that combine three-dimensional attenuation estimation with x-ray scatter imaging.
Radiation Environment Detected by a Proportional Counter in Earth Orbit

We present the measured cosmic ray- and electron-induced background detected by a proportional counter in Earth orbit. The data were obtained by the Hard X-ray Experiment on board the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite. The data are presented as a function of satellite position above the Earth, i.e. geographical longitude and latitude, with the altitude varying between 200 and 1100 km.
An evaluation of a positive youth development program for adolescents with chronic illness.

Abstract Purpose Youth with chronic illness often struggle transitioning to adulthood and adult medical care. This article examines the outcomes of a group mentoring program called The Adolescent Leadership Council (TALC) that brings together high school participants and college mentors, all with chronic illness. TALC uses a positive youth development (PYD) approach, emphasizing strong relationships between youth and adults in an environment where youth can learn important life skills and take a leadership role. Methods A pre-/postprogram participant survey was conducted for high school participants using a loneliness scale and a transition readiness survey. An alumni survey was conducted with all high school and college mentor graduates to assess educational-, vocational-, and health care-related outcomes. Results Program records review and the alumni survey indicated that TALC was consistent with the PYD program model. Twenty high school students participated in the pre-/postprogram outcomes evaluation, which demonstrated a decrease in loneliness from 46 to 38.5 ( p p Conclusions The TALC program applies the principles of PYD to support positive educational, vocational, and health care outcomes for youth with chronic illness. Program development using the PYD perspective is an important new approach for supporting adult development of youth with chronic illness.
Islet‐1 marks the early heart rudiments and is asymmetrically expressed during early rotation of the foregut in the chick embryo

Islet-1 (Isl-1), the LIM domain homeobox gene, is a well-known early marker of neuronal specification. Here, we show its spatial and temporal patterns of expression during early heart and gut development in the chick embryo. Isl-1 transcripts are first detected in the early cardiac progenitors and underlying endoderm at late stage 4. By stages 5-6, it is also expressed in the prechordal plate. From stage 6 onward, transcripts are also detected in the endoderm forming the anterior intestinal portal and floor of the caudal foregut. With progressive rostrocaudal fusion of the paired cardiac rudiments, Isl-1 expression is maintained in the cardiac mesoderm and associated endoderm. By the onset of heart beating, transcripts become restricted to the dorsal mesocardium and more caudal medial splanchnic mesoderm flanking the open gut. Within the foregut, Isl-1 is expressed in the endoderm of the oral membrane, thyroid rudiment, and second pharyngeal pouches, as well as within the second branchial grooves adjacent to the secondary pouches. Interestingly, with the onset of gut rotation, Isl-1 expression is detected unilaterally in the splanchnic mesodermal wall of the future greater curvature of the caudal stomach/rostral duodenum. Thus, Isl-1 is a novel and useful marker of the early cardiac rudiments and of the original left side of the rotating foregut. During early organogenesis, Isl-1 is also expressed in several other discrete domains as reported previously. Additionally, it is expressed at the interface between the hind limbs and trunk.
Nitrogen Fertilization and Yield of Cotton in Ultra-Narrow and Conventional Row Spacings

Nitrogen fertilizer requirements of ultra-narrow row (UNR) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) are not well established, and lint yield of UNR relative to conventional-row (CR) cotton has been variable. Objectives of this study were to compare UNR and CR N requirements based on lint yield, fiber quality, and plant architecture, and to compare the yield potential of UNR and CR cotton. The location was the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Farm, Burleson County, TX. Treatments were N fertilizer rates of 0, 50,101, and 151 kg ha -1 and row spacings of 19,38 (both UNR), and 76 cm (CR). By design, per-hectare plant populations were greatest in 19- and least in 76-cm row spacings. Plots were hand harvested. Reductions in row spacing decreased plant height, main stem nodes plant -1 , and subset (first position bolls at nodes 6-10) individual boll weight Greater N increased plant height, main stem nodes plant -1 , and both whole-plant and subset individual boD weight. Lint percentage was increased by reduction in row spacing and not affected by N. Treatment effects on fiber quality were limited. Lint yield did not differ among row spacings. Significant increases in lint yield occurred with each increase in N, suggesting that the optimal N rate was not surpassed. Nitrogen by row spacing interaction on lint yield was not significant, implying a similar response of each row spacing to N over the fertilizer rates tested. The N fertilizer requirements of UNR do not appear to be lower than those of CR cotton.
Multimodality imaging in biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer: Utility of 18F-NaF PET/CT in early detection of metastasis

A 54-year-old male with biopsy proven Gleason 9 prostate cancer presented with rapidly increasing serum PSA level of 12.4 ng/ml and PSA doubling time <1 month after radical prostatectomy. Conventional imaging scans (chest, abdomen and pelvis CT and 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy) were obtained which identified a single equivocal mildly sclerotic and active lesion in T8 vertebral body (Fig. 1). The patient was then enrolled in an ongoing prospective clinical imaging trial designed to assess the diagnostic utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT and 18F-NaF PET/CT in men with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer and negative or equivocal standard imaging. While 18F-FDG PET/CT was negative, 18F-NaF PET/CT demonstrated numerous randomly distributed fluoride avid lesions in the skeleton (cervical/thoracic/lumbar spine, bilateral acetabuli pelvis, right clavicle) compatible with skeletal metastases (Fig. 2). Follow-up MRI of the spine confirmed the bony lesions (see Fig. 1). Patient was then started on androgen deprivation therapy (bicalutamide/leuprolide acetate) and radiotherapy to a painful area in lower-thoracic spine (3250 cGy to T7–T11) after which his PSA declined to 0.6 ng/ml. Follow-up 18F-NaF PET/CT showed increase in sclerosis on CT and decline in NaF uptake at sites of skeletal metastases. Conventional bone scintigraphy and CT are standard in the imaging evaluation of men with suspected metastatic disease based on rising serum PSA level. However, when available, 18F-NaF PET/CT should be considered since it may be useful in early detection of occult skeletal metastases as clearly demonstrated here in our case.1–3 Fig. 1 Initial imaging evaluation of a man with biochemical relapse of prostate cancer: (A) equivocal 99mTc MDP bone scan, (B) equivocal sagittal view of thoracic spine CT, (C) sagittal view of follow-up thoracic spine MRI (performed after 18F-NaF PET/CT) demonstrating ... Fig. 2 Demonstration of widespread osseous metastatic disease with 18F-NaF PET/CT: maximum intensity projection images of 18F-NaF PET/CT (A) at baseline, (B) at 6 months after start of therapy, (C) transaxial CT and fused 18F-NaF PET/CT appearance of a lesion ...
Heuristics for the dynamic facility layout problem with unequal-area departments

The dynamic facility layout problem (DFLP) is the problem of finding positions of departments on the plant floor for multiple periods (material flows between departments change during the planning horizon) such that departments do not overlap, and the sum of the material handling and rearrangement costs is minimized. In this paper, the departments may have unequal-areas and free orientations, and the layout for each period is generated on the continuous plant floor. Because of the complexity of the problem, only small-size problems can be solved in reasonable time using exact techniques. As a result, a boundary search (construction) technique, which places departments along the boundaries of already placed departments, is developed for the DFLP. The solution is improved using a tabu search heuristic. The heuristics were tested on some instances from the DFLP and static facility layout problem (SFLP) literature. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of the heuristics.
Desensitization of Primary Cultures of Adult Rat Liver Parenchymal Cells to Stimulation of Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate Production by Glucagon and Epinephrine*

The ability of glucagon or epinephrine to increase cAMP levels in primary monolayer cultures of adult rat liver parenchymal cells was markedly reduced by pretreatment of the cells with the same hormone. Induction of cAMP production by glucagon (2 × 10-7 M) was reduced to a plateau level of about 30% of that in untreated cultures by 1 h of glucagon (2 × 10-7 M) pretreatment, and induction by epinephrine (10-5 M) decreased to zero after 2 h of epinephrine (10-5 M) pretreatment. The time courses of the stimulation of cAMP production by each hormone were similar in control and hormone-pretreated cells. There was no change in the concentration of hormone producing half-maximal stimulation of cAMP accumulation by epinephrine in desensitized cells and only a small increase in the concentration of glucagon producing half-maximal cAMP induction. Desensitization by glucagon was reversed to about 70% of control levels 1 h after placing treated cells in hormone-free medium, whereas desensitization by epinephrine was ...
Tonotopic variations of calcium signalling in turtle auditory hair cells.

Turtle cochlear hair cells are electrically tuned by a voltage-dependent Ca2+ current and a Ca2+-dependent K+ current (IBK(Ca)). The effects of intracellular calcium buffering on electrical tuning were studied in hair cells at apical and basal cochlear locations tuned to 100 and 300 Hz, respectively. Increasing the intracellular BAPTA concentration changed the hair cell's resonant frequency little, but optimized tuning at more depolarized membrane potentials due to a positive shift in the half-activation voltage (V½) of the IBK(Ca). The shift in V½ depended similarly on BAPTA concentration in basal and apical hair cells despite a 2·4-fold difference in the size of the Ca2+ current at the two positions. The Ca2+ current amplitude increased exponentially with distance along the cochlea. Comparison of V½ values and tuning properties using different BAPTA concentrations with values measured in perforated-patch recordings gave the endogenous calcium buffer as equivalent to 0·21 mM BAPTA in low-frequency cells, and 0·46 mM BAPTA in high-frequency cells. High conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels recorded in inside-out membrane patches were 2-fold less Ca2+ sensitive in high-frequency than in low-frequency cells. Confocal Ca2+ imaging using the fluorescent indicator Calcium Green-1 revealed about twice as many hotspots of Ca2+ entry during depolarization in high-frequency compared to low-frequency hair cells. We suggest that each BKCa channel is gated by Ca2+ entry through a few nearby Ca2+ channels, and that Ca2+ and BKCa channels occupy, at constant channel density, a greater fraction of the membrane area in high-frequency cells than in low-frequency cells.
An algorithm for a special graph

Most of practical problems which call for graph theory involve large graphs - graphs that are virtually impossible for hand computation. In fact, one of the reasons for the recent growth of interest in graph theory has been the arrival of the high-speed electronic computer. In this paper, we propose an algorithm which take the advantages of computing power gained from a machine with parallel architecture - A shared memory split bus system. The algorithm is to perform multiplications of adjacency matrices for a given graph using such system. Therefore, it determines whether the graph is a bipartite or not based on the existence of odd cycles in the graph. The simulation model for such an algorithm has shown some favorable results.
Management of short bowel syndrome

Abstract Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a common cause of intestinal failure in children. Children with SBS need careful fluid management in the initial post-operative period. Children with SBS may need parenteral nutrition (PN) in the short term until enteral feeding can be established and advanced. Medical and dietetic manipulation of feeds is necessary to advance enteral feeds and wean PN. In majority of the cases, PN can be weaned off completely and children can be established on long-term enteral feeding via nasogastric tube or gastrostomy. If enteral feeding cannot be advanced, referral for non-transplant surgery or if life-threatening complications develop, intestinal transplantation may be necessary. The survival of children with SBS has dramatically improved due to the medical and surgical advances made in the last decade.
Diel and seasonal patterns of prey available to epigeal predators: Evidence for food limitation in a linyphiid spider community

Abstract Linyphiid spiders, as part of the community of natural enemies that frequent agroecosystems, can exert significant pressure on prey populations. Many aspects of linyphiid feeding ecology remain understudied, including temporal and seasonal patterns of prey utilization. To quantify the diversity, quantity, and spatial pattern of availability over diel and seasonal gradients, we monitored prey in an alfalfa crop, using web-site specific sticky traps. Although there were no differences in total number of prey between the day and night, significantly more Collembola were intercepted nocturnally rather than diurnally. Conversely, Diptera and Aphididae were significantly more abundant diurnally. Overall there were more prey at web-sites than in the general crop environment, indicating that spiders were selectively constructing webs where prey was relatively more abundant. However, spiders still may have experienced a high degree of prey limitation because the abundance of Collembola, an important detrital prey, was low over much of the season and below levels calculated as being required to sustain growth and reproductive output in linyphiid spiders. In conclusion, our data suggests that linyphiid spiders, in order to avoid food limitation, may benefit by foraging throughout the diel cycle, consuming herbivorous prey in addition to their core diet of detrital prey. This link between above and below ground food webs indicates the importance of understanding the trophic interactions between epigean spiders and their prey if they are to be integrated into future biological control programs.
An Electronic Community for Older Adults: The SeniorNet Network.

From grief counseling to organizing an on-line “Seniors march” on health coverage, computers have given older adults a way to participate in contemporary culture while acquiring a new network of emotional peer support.
Cationic polymerizations at elevated temperatures by novel initiating systems having weakly coordinating counteranions 2. Isobutylene/isoprene copolymerizations

As a sequel to our studies on isobutylene (IB) homopolymerizations, we have investigated the copolymerization of IB/isoprene (IP) mixtures containing up to ∼20 mole% IP in the feed by the use of the in situ (CH3)3Si[B(C6F5)4] initiating system in close-to-neat monomers in the temperature range from −35 to −8 (reflux)°C. The effects of temperature and IB/IP feed ratio on copolymer molecular weights were determined and compared with those produced by AlCl3. The molecular weights of butyl rubbers obtained by the novel initiating system under a variety of conditions are invariably and significantly higher than those made with AlCl3. High molecular weight gel-free rubbers containing up to ∼5 mol% unsaturation can be obtained at relatively high temperatures. Copolymer compositions can be controlled by the IB/IP ratio in the feed. Product molecular weights decrease with increasing IP content. To gain insight into the copolymerization mechanism, the activation enthalpy of molecular weights (ΔH‡=−5.9 kcal/mol, −24.7 kJ/mol) and the reactivity ratios (rIB= 1.8, rIP= 1.5) have been determined.
Successful Treatment of Neuroendocrine Small Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix Metastatic to Regional Lymph Nodes

Neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the cervix is an aggressive tumor that is associated with a poor prognosis. No reports have described a patient with metastatic spread who has had long-term survival. A patient with neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the cervix metastatic to regional lymph nodes who is free of disease 92 months after multimodality treatment with radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy is described in this paper.
Improved maintainability of space-based reusable rocket engines

Advanced, noninferential, noncontacting, in situ measurement technologies, combined with automated testing and expert systems, can provide continuous, automated health monitoring of critical space-based rocket engine components, requiring minimal disassembly and no manual data analysis, thus enhancing their maintainability. This paper concentrates on recent progress of noncontacting combustion chamber wall thickness condition-monitoring technologies.
Further experiments in nearly homogeneous turbulent shear flow

The experiment of Champagne, Harris & Corrsin in generating and studying a nearly homogeneous turbulent shear flow has been extended to larger values of the dimensionless downstream time or strain by the use of a larger mean velocity gradient in the same wind tunnel. The system appears to reach an asymptotic state in which scales and turbulent energy grow monotonically. Two-point covariances and tensor structure of one-point ‘Reynolds stress’ and ‘pressure/strain-rate covariance’ agree with the earlier case. However, the linear intercomponent energy exchange hypothesis due to Rotta, very roughly confirmed by the earlier experiment, is contradicted by the present data.
A Retrospective Comparison of Varenicline Monotherapy Versus the Combination of Varenicline and Bupropion or Bupropion and Nicotine Patches in a VA Tobacco Cessation Clinic

Purpose: To determine whether the combination of bupropion SR and varenicline offers improved smoking cessation outcomes compared to varenicline monotherapy or to combination of bupropion SR and nicotine patch. Methods: This retrospective chart review included 489 volunteer enrolees in a Veterans Affairs (VA) tobacco cessation clinic who received one of the three treatments upon clinic enrolment. The study endpoints were smoking cessation and clinic completion rates, changes in the number of cigarettes smoked, carbon monoxide (CO) levels, urges to smoke, self-confidence to quit and medication-attributed adverse effects. Results: The relative smoking cessation rates were 33%, 32%, and 40% for bupropion SR and nicotine patch, bupropion SR and varenicline, and varenicline groups, respectively. The 0.21 p value established that no significant cessation rate differences existed between any of the groups. Varenicline alone or in combination was as well tolerated as the combination of bupropion SR and nicotine patch. Conclusions: The combination of bupropion SR and varenicline did not demonstrate any smoking cessation advantage over varenicline monotherapy or the combination of bupropion SR and nicotine patch and therefore do not support the use of bupropion SR and varenicline over varenicline monotherapy.
Clathrin assembly protein AP-2 is detected in both neurons and glia, and its reduction is prominent in layer II of frontal cortex in Alzheimer’s disease

There are several adaptor proteins associated with clathrin coated vesicles. Among them are AP180 and AP-2. We and others have previously described synaptic localization of AP180. AP180 immunoreactivity is altered in both the superior frontal gyrus and hippocampus in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We here investigate the location and alteration of another adaptor protein, AP-2. In contrast to AP180, we have found that AP-2 is expressed by both neurons and glia. Furthermore, the only noticeable change of AP-2 in AD is a loss of its immunoreactivity in layer II of the superior frontal gyrus.
Relationships between Water Vapor Path and Precipitation over the Tropical Oceans

The relationship between water vapor path W and surface precipitation rate P over tropical oceanic regions is analyzed using 4 yr of gridded daily SSM/I satellite microwave radiometer data. A tight monthly mean relationship P (mm day21) 5 exp[11.4(r 2 0.522)] for all tropical ocean regions and seasons is found between P and a column-relative humidity r obtained by dividing W by the corresponding saturation water vapor path. A similar relation, albeit with more scatter, also holds at daily time scales, and can be interpreted as a moisture adjustment time scale of 12 h for convective rainfall to affect humidity anomalies on 300-km space scales. Cross-spectral analysis shows statistically significant covariability of actual and r-predicted precipitation at all frequencies, with negligible phase lag. The correlation of actual and r-predicted precipitation exceeds 0.5 on intraseasonal and longer time scales. The SSM/I retrievals of W and P are found to be skillful even at daily time scales when compared with in situ radiosonde and radar-derived area-averaged precipitation data from Kwajalein Island, but the microwave estimates of daily P scatter considerably about the radar estimates (which are considered to be more reliable). Using the radar-derived precipitation in combination with microwave-derived W yields a daily r‐P relationship at Kwajalein similar to that derived solely from microwave measurements, but with somewhat less P associated with the highest values of r. This emphasizes that the absolute calibration of the r‐P relationship is somewhat dependent on the datasets used to derive r and especially P. Nevertheless, the results provide a useful constraint on conceptual models and parameterizations of tropical deep convection.
Is inhibition of kinase activity the only therapeutic strategy for LRRK2 -associated Parkinson's disease?

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are a common cause of familial Parkinson's disease (PD). Variation around the LRRK2 locus also contributes to the risk of sporadic PD. The LRRK2 protein contains a central catalytic region, and pathogenic mutations cluster in the Ras of complex protein C terminus of Ras of complex protein (mutations N1437H, R1441G/C and Y1699C) and kinase (G2019S and I2020T) domains. Much attention has been focused on the kinase domain, because kinase-dead versions of mutant LRRK2 are less toxic than kinase-active versions of the same proteins. Furthermore, kinase inhibitors may be able to mimic this effect in mouse models, although the currently tested inhibitors are not completely specific. In this review, we discuss the recent progress in the development of specific LRRK2 kinase inhibitors. We also discuss non-kinase-based therapeutic strategies for LRRK2-associated PD as it is possible that different approaches may be needed for different mutations.
New tools for ocean exploration, equipping the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

In 2004 the US Navy transferred the USNS Capable (T-AGOS 16) to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The vessel has recently completed an extensive conversion effort to become the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) will use the vessel to conduct multi-disciplinary ocean exploration and research projects. OER's goal is to increase America's knowledge of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and other areas of the roughly 95 percent of the underwater world not previously explored and largely unknown. As a new vessel dedicated to ocean exploration the Okeanos Explorer received significant upgrades and new equipment. This paper describes the major facets of the conversion. The Okeanos Explorer will be the first NOAA vessel to carry a dedicated remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and systems designed to connect the ship and ROV activities to shore via ldquotelepresence.rdquo The development and integration of these new technologies on the vessel is also described. The paper concludes with a discussion of how OER envisions these tools being employed in ocean exploration.
Desmosterolosis presenting with multiple congenital anomalies and profound developmental delay.

Desmosterol (cholesta-5,24-dien-3beta-ol) is a minor sterol that forms as an intermediate in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway when the 24-unsaturated sterol bond is reduced as the last step rather than earlier in the conversion of lanosterol to cholesterol. In 1998, FitzPatrick et al. reported a premature infant who died shortly after birth and had marked tissue elevations of desmosterol and a strikingly abnormal phenotype. We describe here the first living patient with desmosterolosis and show biochemical evidence in plasma and cultured lymphoblasts for an autosomal recessive deficiency of 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24). The infant has severe microcephaly, agenesis of the corpus callosum, downslanting palpebral fissures, micrognathia, submucous cleft palate, clubfoot, and a persistent patent ductus arteriosus. Plasma sterol quantification in the patient at age 2 years demonstrated a normal cholesterol level, but a 100-fold increased level of desmosterol (60 mcg/ml; nl 0.5 +/- 0.3 mcg/ml (SD)) suggesting deficient activity of 24-dehydrocholesterol (desmosterol) reductase (DHCR24). Both parents had mildly increased levels of desmosterol in plasma (mother: 1.4 mcg/ml; father: 1.8 mcg/ml), consistent with heterozygosity for DHCR24 deficiency. Analysis of sterol metabolism in cultured transformed lymphoblasts showed a 100-fold increased level of desmosterol and a moderately decreased level of cholesterol in the patient's cells and a 10-fold elevation of desmosterol in the mother's cells. At the age of 3.5 years, the patient stands but does not walk, uses a 5-word vocabulary, and lacks any major medical problems. This unique patient broadens the spectrum of inborn errors of cholesterol biosynthesis and suggests additional candidate clinical phenotypes associated with abnormal cholesterol metabolism.
Status migrainosus as a potential stressor leading to takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Background:Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a form of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy that may be acutely precipitated by stress. A number of neurologic conditions have been implicated in precipitating this disease such as subarachnoid hemorrhage, stroke, and seizures. Its association with status migrainosus, however, has never been described before.Case:We report a case of a 25-year-old female presenting with status migrainosus followed by takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Supportive management was instituted in this patient and she made an excellent recovery.Conclusion:The intense pain associated with migraine may have acted as a stressor, thereby precipitating takotsubo cardiomyopathy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case demonstrating a relationship between status migrainosus and takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
A Modified Phase-Modulation Spectrofluorometer for Lifetime-Resolved Fluorescence-Detected Circular Dichroism:

The first demonstration of lifetime resolution in fluorescence-detected circular dichroism (FDCD) is described, performed on a modified phase-modulation spectrofluorometer in which a Babinet-Soleil compensator is used to generate the circularly polarized excitation. Measurements of optically inactive solutions indicate the absence of significant instrumental or optical artifacts for steady-state and lifetime-resolved FDCD. Advantages of the instrumental approach are discussed and early results are presented for a system of benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(k)fluoranthene in γ-cyclodextrin, demonstrating the accuracy of the lifetime determinations with circularly polarized excitation as well as the applicability of lifetime-resolved FDCD for studies of induced chirality in asymmetric microenvironments.
Potential for the Anopheles gambiae Densonucleosis Virus To Act as an Evolution-Proof Biopesticide

“Evolution-proof” or “late-life-acting” insecticides (LLAIs) preferentially kill older adult mosquitoes and are of extreme interest to control vector-borne diseases such as malaria. We used quantitative PCR to assess whether the Anopheles gambiae densonucleosis virus (AgDNV) had potential as an LLAI. After infection, AgDNV titers increased modestly during larval development but replicated slower than the host cells, resulting in a significant decrease in the normalized virus titer during larval and pupal development. Normalized virus titers dramatically increased after adult emergence, peaking in 7- to 10-day-old adults. Unlike other DNVs, AgDNV does not significantly replicate in preadult mosquitoes but rather preferentially replicates in older adults. The natural dynamics of AgDNV make it ideal for expression of insect-specific toxin genes as a biological LLAI.
Enhanced Situational Awareness: Application of DDDAS Concepts to Emergency and Disaster Management

We describe a prototype emergency and disaster information system designed and implemented using DDDAS concepts. The system is designed to use real-time cell phone calling data from a geographical region, including calling activity --- who calls whom, call duration, services in use, and cell phone location information --- to provide enhanced situational awareness for managers in emergency operations centers (EOCs) during disaster events. Powered-on cell phones maintain contact with one or more within-range cell towers so as to receive incoming calls. Thus, location data about all phones in an area are available, either directly from GPS equipped phones, or by cell tower, cell sector, distance from tower and triangulation methods. This permits the cell phones of a geographical region to serve as an ad hoc mobile sensor net, measuring the movement and calling patterns of the population. A prototype system, WIPER, serves as a test bed to research open DDDAS design issues, including dynamic validation of simulations, algorithms to interpret high volume data streams, ensembles of simulations, runtime execution, middleware services, and experimentation frameworks [1].