cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calmodulin-activated protein kinase activity of adipocyte microsomes

Abstract A calmodulin-activated phosphorylation activity was identified in microsomal (endoplasmic reticulum) preparations from rat adipocytes. Activity was not detected in mitochondrial or plasma membrane fractions. Although the phosphorylation of several proteins was enhanced by addition of calmodulin, the major calmodulin-sensitive protein had a molecular weight of 54,000. A series of experiments were conducted to determine if the microsomal phosphorylation was either calmodulin-containing phosphorylase kinase or calmodulindependent myosin light chain kinase. The phosphorylation of the 54,000 Dalton band in microsomal preparations was 1) not significantly reduced by potential competing protein substrates, e.g. actomyosin or phosphorylase b, 2) nearly equally well phosphorlyated at pH 8.6 or pH 7.0, unlike actomyosin or phosphorylase b, and 3) not increased by addition of phosphorylase kinase or myosin light chain kinase. The results demonstrate that this microsomal calmodulinactivated phosphorylation is catalysed by a protein kinase distinct from phosphorylase kinase or myosin light chain kinase.
Soil microbial community resilience with tree thinning in a 40-year-old experimental ponderosa pine forest

Establishment of native grasses is a primary objective of restoration in Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum (P. & C. Lawson) forests in the southwestern United States. Interactions among native grasses and soil microorganisms generate feedbacks that influence the achievement of this objective. We examined soil chemical properties and communities of plants and soil microorganisms in clear-cuts and P. ponderosa stands thinned and maintained at low and medium tree densities for over 40 years along with high density (unthinned) stands. Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) in soils were analyzed to examine arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and microbial communities in the three thinning treatments and the unthinned stands with and without a recent broadcast burn. Additionally, two native bunchgrasses, Festuca arizonica and Muhlenbergia wrightii were grown in containers filled with intact soil cores collected from each field plot to more thoroughly compare the abundance of AM fungi and microbial communities across different stand densities and burn treatments. Tree thinning decreased litter cover and increased the abundance and diversity and altered community composition of both herbaceous vegetation and AM fungi. In the mineral soil layer, the pH, total carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and PLFA profiles did not differ significantly among the four stand density or burn treatments. Mycorrhizal colonization of the container grown grasses did not significantly differ with tree density or burn treatments; however, F. arizonica roots had a strong trend for decreased colonization when grown in soil from high density (unthinned) tree cover. Soil from the containers with F. arizonica had a greater abundance of AM fungal spores. Furthermore, bacterial community composition varied with grass species. Concentration of biomarkers for bacteria were higher in soil that supported F. arizonica compared to soil in which M. wrightii was grown. Our results indicate that the creation of clear-cut openings in forests may increase the abundance and richness of AM fungal propagules and soil bacterial communities were surprisingly resilient to tree thinning and low-intensity fire treatments. These results suggest managing forests to create clear-cut openings generate conditions that favor understory native grasses and AM fungi that are linked to soil bacterial communities.
Molecular representations of Permian-aged vitrinite-rich and inertinite-rich South African coals

Abstract Molecular representations for two Permian-aged South African coals, inertinite-rich Highveld (dominated by semifusinite) and vitrinite-rich Waterberg were constructed based on analytical data. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was used to determine the size and distribution of aromatic fringes, thereby affording the base aromatic skeleton for each coal model. Sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen and aliphatic side chains and crosslinks were added to the aromatic skeletons according to 13 C NMR and literature data. The individual molecules were assembled into three-dimensional structures and were in agreement with experimental data (NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses data). These models were structurally diverse with a molecular weight ranging from 78 to 1900 amu. The vitrinite-rich coal model consists of 18,572 atoms and 191 individual molecules and the inertinite-rich coal model consists of 14,242 atoms and 158 individual molecules. These were the first molecular representations for South African vitrinite-rich and inertinite-rich coals. The inertinite-rich Highveld coal model was more aromatic with a larger portion of the aromatic carbons polycondensed. The vitrinite-rich Waterberg coal model was more aliphatic and contained more aliphatic side chains and longer aliphatic crosslinks. Although these coals have very similar average molecular structures according to the various analytical data, subtle differences in the experimental data lead to significant structural differences in the models.
Manpower options in a small labour-importing state: the influence of ethnic composition on Kuwait's development.

Trends in the ethnic composition of the Kuwaiti labor force during recent years are discussed and the effects on the countrys development are assessed. The focus is on the likely shift since the Gulf War toward importing cheaper Asian labor. "The purpose of this paper is to assess whether this is a realistic alternative towards reducing the overall cost of the expatriate labour force. Which areas of the economy would be most promising in this regard? What are the economic costs? The implicit assumption throughout the analysis...is that the country will quickly restore its economy to the structure existing at the time of the invasion." (SUMMARY IN FRE AND SPA) (EXCERPT)
The Current Status of Cesarean Section and Today's Maternity Patient

With recent scientific and technological advances in the field of obstetrics, new and more accurate indications for delivery by cesarean section have resulted in an accelerating rate of births by this mode of delivery. The currently reported rate, up to 30% in some areas, will likely continue to rise as obstetricians become capable of defining more precisely those pregnancies “at risk” as normal vaginal deliveries. Scrutiny must surely be turned toward the criteria for determining which deliveries cannot be managed safely as normal physiological processes, but for nurses, the immediate priority is a consideration of those factors affecting the maternal adaptive response to cesarean section.
Relationship of death anxiety/fear to health-seeking beliefs and behaviors.

Abstract The relationship of death anxiety/fear to health beliefs and behaviors was examined. One hundred and three college students completed the modified Death Anxiety Scale (DAS), the Death Anxiety Questionnaire (DAQ), the Death Attitude Profile (DAP), the Health Opinion Survey (HOS), and an item asking whether the participant had visited a physician at least once a year for a routine examination. The results indicated that those scoring higher on the DAS were less likely to be actively involved in their health care. Males were found to be less likely to prefer health information and to visit the doctor for an annual routine examination than females. In addition, females with high death anxiety (DAQ) were me likely to prefer health information than males with high death anxiety. These results underscore the need to examine the relationship of gender role to health-related beliefs.
Modeling metal deposition in heat transfer analyses of additive manufacturing processes

Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes for metallic parts using both laser and electron beam heat sources are becoming increasingly popular due to their potential of producing near net shape structural components. The thermal history generated by additive manufacturing is essential in determining the resulting microstructure, material properties, residual stress, and distortion.In this work finite element techniques for modeling metal deposition heat transfer analyses of additive manufacturing are investigated in detail. In particular, both quiet and inactive element activation are reviewed in detail and techniques for minimizing errors associated with element activation errors are proposed. 1D and 3D numerical examples are used to demonstrate that both methods can give equivalent results if implemented properly. It is also shown that neglecting surface convection and radiation on the continuously evolving interface between active and inactive elements can lead to errors. A new hybrid quiet inactive metal deposition method is also proposed to accelerate computer run times. HighlightsFEA techniques for modeling metal deposition in additive manufacturing are investigated.A new hybrid inactive/quiet element method is proposed for modeling additive manufacturing.Metal deposition element is initially inactive, then, they are switched to quiet layer by layer.
Interstitial laser coagulation of the prostate: introduction of a volume-based treatment formula with 12-month follow-up.

The objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) of the prostate using a low-volume treatment formula as a minimally invasive therapy for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 25 men underwent ILC of the prostate for symptomatic BPH between February 1997 and June 1997. The Indigo 830e laser system from Indigo Medical Inc. and the factory preset therapy regimen was used for ILC of the prostate. The number of treatments or punctures was determined by the formula 0.5 × total prostate volume (ml)/8 ml, rounded to the closest even whole number. The treatment outcome was evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals using the American Urological Association's (AUA) BPH symptom score, maximal urinary flow, prostate size, and postvoid residual urine volume. The AUA symptom score decreased from 23.2 (range 17–28) prior to treatment to 9.4 (range 4–14) at 3 months, 6.6 (range 5–12) at 6 months, and 7.2 (range 4–11) at 12 months. The maximal flow rate improved from 8.4 (range 5–10) ml/s pretreatment to 14.1 (range 10–20) ml/s at 3 months, 14.8 (range 10–18) ml/s at 6 months, and 16.8 (range 12–25) ml/s at 12 months after treatment. There was no significant postprocedure complication. The 1-year clinical results suggest that the ILC procedure using the Indigo 830e device in conjunction with a low-volume treatment formula has outcomes similar to those obtained following ILC based on high-volume coagulation.
Recovery of a maxillary third molar from the infratemporal space via a hemicoronal approach

A case has been presented of retrieval of a maxillary third molar that had been displaced into the infratemporal fossa. The unusual location of the tooth combined with the novel approach to its removal makes this case unique. The coronal approach to the lateral orbital wall is safe, relatively straightforward and has minimal postoperative complications. This patient's postoperative course was uncomplicated, he suffered no untoward sequelae, and was relieved to have the "lost" third molar recovered.
Internal documentation benchmarking: a tool for all reasons

Regardless of how good you think your technical communication products are, or how well regarded they are with your customers, continuous improvement is mandatory. In today's fast-paced information-based environment, there is no such thing as standing still. You are either moving forward or you are moving backward. Benchmarking your documentation is an excellent way to keep it on a path of continuous improvement.
Reproducibility of the Dose-Response Curve of Steroid-Induced Cleft Palate in Mice

Pregnant CD-1 mice were exposed to cortisone acetate at doses ranging from 20 to 100 mg/kg/ day on days 10-13 by oral and intramuscular routes. Multiple replicate assays were conducted under identical conditions to assess the reproducibility of the dose–response curve for cleft palate. The data were fitted to the probit, logistic, multistage or Armitage-Doll, and Weibull dose-response model separately for each route of exposure. The curves were then tested for parallel slopes (probit and logistic models) or coincidence of model parameters (multistage and Weibull models). The 19 replicate experiments had a wide range of slope estimates, wider for the oral than for the intramuscular experiments. For all models and both routes of exposure the null hypothesis of equality of slopes was rejected at a significant level of p < 0.001. For the intramuscular group of replicates, rejection of slope equality could in part be explained by not maintaining a standard dosing regime. The rejection of equivalence of dose-response curves from replicate studies showed that it is difficult to reproduce dose-response data of a single study within the limits defined by the dose-response model. This has important consequences for quantitative risk assessment, public health measures, or development of mechanistic theories which are typically based on a single animal bioassay.
Ethanol stimulates epithelial sodium channels by elevating reactive oxygen species

Alcohol affects total body sodium balance, but the molecular mechanism of its effect remains unclear. We used single-channel methods to examine how ethanol affects epithelial sodium channels (ENaC)...
Approaching librarianship from the data: using bibliomining for evidence‐based librarianship

Purpose – The purpose of this work is to present an alternative way of considering evidence‐based librarianship (EBL) through an examination of the data that makes up studies used for EBL.Design/methodology/approach – This piece starts with the standard evidence‐based librarianship definition and deconstructs it down to the level of the individual user, and that data is considered in a different context.Findings – The bibliomining process, or the combination of data warehousing, data mining, and bibliometrics, is used as a framework to build a different path to EBL. Bibliomining‐based evidence‐based librarianship is not appropriate for all topics; however, when the artifacts of library use can be gathered and explored, this method can provide a different path to reach the goals of EBL.Originality/value – As the quantity of studies needed for traditional EBL are not currently available, this alternate method provides a way to achieve the goals of EBL through data already in the library systems.
An unusual presentation of precursor T cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma with cholestatic jaundice: case report

Background Cholestatic jaundice as a presenting symptom of Precursor T-lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)/lymphoma (T-LBL) has never been reported in literature. Similarly, precursor T-ALL/T-LBL is characteristically negative for synaptophysin. We report the first case of a patient with precursor T-ALL/T-LBL who presented with cholestatic jaundice and aberrant tumor expression of synaptophysin.
The making of a rentier class: Wealth accumulation and political control in Senegal

Political and economic dynamics set in motion by efforts to consolidate post‐colonial regimes have contributed to the continuing weakness of indigenous bourgeoisies throughout much of post‐colonial Africa. This article suggests that state power has been used to foster private rent‐seeking, rather than productive local private investment, in order to promote and sustain the political cohesion of ruling classes. The political consolidation of dominant rentier classes (forged through state patronage and clientelist mechanisms of control) creates obstacles to the emergence of local class strata interested in, or capable of, using state power to promote the expanded accumulation of capital (be it local or foreign). A study of Senegal illustrates this point.
Generation of 400-fs solitons with 2-MHz repetition rate by a Yb-fiber laser

We study the minimum repetition rate achievable with a Yb fiber laser. We find that a cavity with large anomalous dispersion generates 400-fs, near-transform-limited pulses at repetition rate of 2 MHz.
Inhibition of protein synthesis in Escherichia coli and L5178Y mouse leukemic cells by phenylalanine and tryptophan.

Abstract Phenylalanine (2 mg/ml) inhibited E. coli protein synthesis 46% but was without effect on RNA, DNA or lipopolysaccharide synthesis. Tryptophan at the same concentration inhibited E. coli protein synthesis 34% and had no effect on the synthesis of the other macromolecules. In contrast, in L5178Y mouse leukemic cells phenylalanine (2 mg/ml) inhibited RNA synthesis 45%, DNA synthesis 50%, protein synthesis 80% and glycoprotein synthesis 75%. Tryptophan (2 mg/ml) inhibited L5178Y RNA synthesis 16%, DNA synthesis 25%, protein synthesis 70% and glycoprotein synthesis 55%. tRNA charging by L-(4,5− 3 H) leucine in both E. coli and L5178Y cells was severely diminished in the presence of 2 mg/ml of phenylalanine or tryptophan.
Phenotypic plasticity: molecular mechanisms and adaptive significance

Phenotypic plasticity can be broadly defined as the ability of one genotype to produce more than one phenotype when exposed to different environments, as the modification of developmental events by the environment, or as the ability of an individual organism to alter its phenotype in response to changes in environmental conditions. Not surprisingly, the study of phenotypic plasticity is innately interdisciplinary and encompasses aspects of behavior, development, ecology, evolution, genetics, genomics, and multiple physiological systems at various levels of biological organization. From an ecological and evolutionary perspective, phenotypic plasticity may be a powerful means of adaptation and dramatic examples of phenotypic plasticity include predator avoidance, insect wing polymorphisms, the timing of metamorphosis in amphibians, osmoregulation in fishes, and alternative reproductive tactics in male vertebrates. From a human health perspective, documented examples of plasticity most commonly include the results of exercise, training, and/or dieting on human morphology and physiology. Regardless of the discipline, phenotypic plasticity has increasingly become the target of a plethora of investigations with the methodological approaches utilized ranging from the molecular to whole organsimal. In this article, we provide a brief historical outlook on phenotypic plasticity; examine its potential adaptive significance; emphasize recent molecular approaches that provide novel insight into underlying mechanisms, and highlight examples in fishes and insects. Finally, we highlight examples of phenotypic plasticity from a human health perspective and underscore the use of mouse models as a powerful tool in understanding the genetic architecture of phenotypic plasticity. C ! 2012 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 2:1417-1439, 2012.
Vital dye analysis of cranial neural crest cell migration in the mouse embryo

The spatial and temporal aspects of cranial neural crest cell migration in the mouse are poorly understood because of technical limitations. No reliable cell markers are available and vital staining of embryos in culture has had limited success because they develop normally for only 24 hours. Here, we circumvent these problems by combining vital dye labelling with exo utero embryological techniques. To define better the nature of cranial neural crest cell migration in the mouse embryo, premigratory cranial neural crest cells were labelled by injecting DiI into the amniotic cavity on embryonic day 8. Embryos, allowed to develop an additional 1 to 5 days exo utero in the mother before analysis, showed distinct and characteristic patterns of cranial neural crest cell migration at the different axial levels. Neural crest cells arising at the level of the forebrain migrated ventrally in a contiguous stream through the mesenchyme between the eye and the diencephalon. In the region of the midbrain, the cells migrated ventrolaterally as dispersed cells through the mesenchyme bordered by the lateral surface of the mesencephalon and the ectoderm. At the level of the hindbrain, neural crest cells migrated ventrolaterally in three subectodermal streams that were segmentally distributed. Each stream extended from the dorsal portion of the neural tube into the distal portion of the adjacent branchial arch. The order in which cranial neural crest cells populate their derivatives was determined by labelling embryos at different stages of development. Cranial neural crest cells populated their derivatives in a ventral-to-dorsal order, similar to the pattern observed at trunk levels. In order to confirm and extend the findings obtained with exo utero embryos, DiI (1,1-dioctadecyl-3,3,3 ,3 -tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate) was applied focally to the neural folds of embryos, which were then cultured for 24 hours. Because the culture technique permitted increased control of the timing and location of the DiI injection, it was possible to determine the duration of cranial neural crest cell emigration from the neural tube. Cranial neural crest cell emigration from the neural folds was completed by the 11-somite stage in the region of the rostral hindbrain, the 14-somite stage in the regions of the midbrain and caudal hindbrain and not until the 16-somite stage in the region of the forebrain. At each level, the time between the earliest and latest neural crest cells to emigrate from the neural tube appeared to be 9 hours. Some aspects of cranial neural crest cell migration were similar to those observed in avian embryos; however, the exact pathways, the timing and the axial levels that contribute to the neural crest cells were distinctly different. Summary
Electrical characterization of the plasma jet generated by plasma pencil

Recent studies have shown that low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma jets are formed by the propagation of small plasma bullets traveling at very high velocities in ambient air. In this paper we report on the spatial evolution of the plasma jet properties investigated from the jet current density, where the jet current was measured by placing a lab-made probe along the jet propagation axis. The plasma jet was generated by a plasma pencil powered with high voltage short-duration pulses. The average current density, power density, electric field and electron density for every 0.5 cm plasma jet segment along the jet propagation trail were measured. The average peak current density, power density, and the electric field of the plasma jet were respectively 0.64 (A/cm2), 6.6 (kW/cm3) and 11.5 (kV/cm). The drift velocity of the electrons was calculated for the measured electric field along the jet axis and it showed a good agreement with the plasma jet's front velocity measured by ICCD image tracking. It also shows that the helium gas plays an important role in the jet propagation. The estimated average electron density in the plasma jet is 4.8+1011 cm3.
Automated determination of human choriogonadotropin by use of microparticle capture analysis

We evaluated a new microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) for human choriogonadotropin (hCG) in serum. This hCG assay is fully automated for the Abbott "IMx System," which has a dynamic range extending to 100,000 int. units/L. We tested 321 patients' sera, with hCG values ranging between 0 and 196,000 int. units/L by both the IMx hCG (y) and the Hybritech Tandem-E hCG (x) assays. Results correlated well (r = 0.972, slope = 0.87, y-intercept = 0.7). The IMx hCG assay is sensitive (0.21 int. units/L) and precise (CVs 2.4-8.7% for various hCG concentrations). No carryover to subsequent specimens was observed when specimens with values up to 10(6) int. units/L were tested, nor was any high-dose "hook" effect noted. The IMx hCG assay, which is specific for intact hCG molecules, is rapid (one to six samples in 17 min) and is a valid automated alternative to enzymatic and radioisotopic methodologies.
The Utility of Opacity in Judicial Selection

Does too much transparency in the selection of judges undermine the independence of the judiciary? This Essay seeks to provide insight into answering this question by focusing on the opaque process by which federal bankruptcy judges are selected. Part I begins with an account that anchors the concepts of judicial independence and judicial accountability to the concept of judicial quality. It proceeds to situate within this account the selection process, suggesting that the process can function as a form of judicial accountability, albeit one that diminishes judicial quality in those instances where the process becomes politicized. A brief discussion follows regarding the concept of transparency in the context of the selection process, with emphasis on the distinction between transparency of the process itself and transparency of the judicial candidates. I then explain how process transparency may reduce the utility of a candidate transparency requirement and thus undermine judicial quality. Part II suggests that moving to an opaque process may solve this problem and uses the selection of bankruptcy judges as an example. The Essay concludes that process opacity may prevent candidate transparency from being co-opted for political ends, thus improving judicial quality. Although the scope of the Essay is limited to discussing appointment systems, rather than election systems, my hope is that it will shed new light on proposed selection reforms in both systems by prompting others to consider the utility of opacity in judicial selection.
Ideological Information in Candidate Endorsements in Presidential Nominations

Patterns of endorsement behavior by elite elected officials in presidential nominations provide an opportunity to address a number of questions about the role of ideology in the context of political parties. To what extent do the elite elected officials consider ideology when deciding whether and which presidential nomination candidates they will endorse? Are they motivated by policy, winning, or other considerations? The characteristics of party elites also more closely fit the assumptions behind the median voter theorem, which allows for an assessment of the median voter and divergent party arguments.
A Piecewise Aggregate Approximation Lower-Bound Estimate for Posteriorgram-based Dynamic Time Warping

In this paper, we propose a novel lower-bound estimate for dynamic time warping (DTW) methods that use an inner product distance on multi-dimensional posterior probability vectors known as posteriorgrams. Compared to our previous work, the new lower-bound estimate uses piecewise aggregate approximation (PAA) to reduce the time required for calculating the lower-bound estimate. We describe the PAA lower-bound construction process and prove that it can be efficiently used in an admissible K nearest neighbor (KNN) search. The amount of computational savings is quantified by a set of unsupervised spoken keyword spotting experiments. The results show that the newly proposed PAA lower-bound is able to speed up DTWKNN search by 28% without affecting the keyword spotting performance.
Controlling the surface chemistry of cerium oxide nanoparticles for biological applications

The catalytic activity of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) depends on the surface Ce3+/Ce4+ oxidation state. CNPs with a higher Ce3+ to Ce4+ ratio, oxygen vacancies and higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic activity are more effective against diseases associated with oxidative stress or inflammation. CNPs with a lower Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio show higher catalase mimetic activity and possess anticancer/antibacterial activity. However, different synthesis methods of CNPs and capping agents/surface coatings result in various Ce3+/Ce4+ oxidation states, thus limiting the use of particular CNPs for specific biological applications. In this study, we have shown that by selecting an appropriate doping method we can control the surface Ce3+/Ce4+ oxidation state to tune the catalytic activity and biological response. Importantly, superior SOD mimetic activity and efficient reactive oxygen species scavenging capability of one-step synthesized CNPs are linked to a uniform distribution of dopants in the CNP lattice and changes in the surface Ce3+/Ce4+ oxidation state.
Testing the CaR-FA-X Model: Investigating the Mechanisms Underlying Reduced Autobiographical Memory Specificity in Individuals With and Without a History of Depression

Reduced autobiographical memory specificity (AMS) is an important cognitive phenomenon in major depressive disorder (MDD), but knowledge about mechanisms is lacking. The CaR-FA-X model of Williams and colleagues (2007) proposed that 3 processes contributed to reduce AMS: capture and rumination (CaR), functional avoidance (FA), and impaired executive control (X). However, the entire CaR-FA-X model has not been tested. We addressed this gap in the literature by investigating contributions of the CaR-FA-X mechanisms to reduced AMS, alone or in interaction, in a subset of young adults (N = 439) from the Northwestern-UCLA Youth Emotion Project. Participants were classified as those with (n = 164) and without (n = 275) a history of MDD at AMS assessment. They completed measures of: AMS; rumination (the brooding factor; CaR); childhood, adolescent, and early adulthood adversity (FA); avoidant coping (FA); and verbal fluency (X). Using structural equation modeling, we found greatest support for associations between reduced AMS and the capture and rumination, and impaired executive control mechanisms. In those with and without a history of MDD, brooding and verbal fluency interacted to contribute to reduced AMS. For participants without a history of MDD, lower verbal fluency (indicating impaired executive control) was associated with reduced AMS among those high on brooding. For participants with a history of MDD, lower verbal fluency was associated with reduced AMS among those low on brooding. The first finding was consistent with the CaR-FA-X model but the latter was not. Implications for conceptualizations of reduced AMS and its mechanisms are discussed.
Propetamphos enhances chlorpyrifos-induced organophosphate-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) in hens: a role for plasma butyrylcholinesterase.

ABSTRACTThis study examined dose-response effects of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and propetamphos (PRO) on producing organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) in hens. A single oral dose of 1, 3, 30, or 100 mg/kg of each compound was administered individually, or in combination to groups of 10 hens. Plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity was inhibited by all doses of each individual compound. Chlorpyrifos alone or in combination with PRO resulted in decreased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. No dose of CPF or PRO alone resulted in the inhibition of neuropathy target esterase (NTE) or produced OPIDN. In contrast, combined exposure to high doses of CPF and PRO produced diminished NTE activity and produced OPIDN. Brain NTE activity was decreased by 67% and 71% by combined treatment of 100 mg/kg CPF with 30 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg PRO, respectively, consistent with the development of ataxia and paralysis, characteristic of OPIDN. Only the highest dose of CPF 100 mg/kg interacted with the two highes...
Detection of lymphocyte micronucleus and chromosome aberration in radiation workers in Liuzhou City

[Objective]To understand the frequencies of chromosome aberration and micronucleus in peripheral blood lymphocytes of radiation workers in LiuZhou City.[Methods]Specimens prepared by micro whole blood culture method,the frequencies of chromosome aberration and micronucleus were detected in 458 radiation workers and 200 healthy adults. [Results] The frequencies of chromosome aberration were 1. 76‰ and 0. 36‰ in radiation workers and healthy adults,respectively( P 0. 01). The frequencies of micronucleus were 0. 67% and 0. 05%,respectively,with significant difference( P 0. 01). The frequencies of chromosome aberration and micronucleus were not significantly different between different type of radiation workers( P 0. 05),but there were significant differences of the frequencies of chromosome aberration and micronucleus between workers with different length of service( P 0. 01),with maximum in 20 years length of service.[Conclusion]The frequencies of chromosome aberration and micronucleus in peripheral blood lympbocytes are higher than those in healthy adults in Liuzhou City,so it is very important to strengthen the training about radiation protection and pay more attention to radiation protection.
Pulse Height Analyzers

The sections in this article are 1 Pulse Processing with the PHA 2 Principles of Operation 3 Acknowledgement
Thriving in Organizations

• ‘Here we house the legions of the walking dead.’ When people join the legions of the walking dead, they begin to live lives of quiet desperation. They tend to experience feelings of meaninglessness, hopelessness, and impotence in their work roles. (Quinn, 1996: 20) • ‘Seventy-five percent of our middle managers have opted for peace and pay.’ Peace and pay means don’t rock the boat, maintain the status quo, keep your head in a shell, come in at eight and leave at five, don’t take any risks. (Quinn, 1996: 22)
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

The clinical progression and effects of therapy in 283 boys with Duchenne dystrophy and ten with Becker dystrophy followed for up to ten years in a collaborative study are reported from the Departments of Neurology and Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, the Departments of Neurology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.
Effects of egg stocking density on egg hatchability, larval quality and water quality for pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides, and pigfish, Orthopristis chrysoptera

Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides Linnaeus) and pigfish (Orthopristis chrysoptera L.) are relatively new, cultured species commonly used as marine baitfish in the south-eastern United States and currently have no defined protocols for egg incubation. Thus, experiments were conducted to determine efficient egg stocking densities during static and flow-through incubation that yielded higher quality larvae. Eggs of each species were incubated statically at 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 eggs L−1, and after incubation, egg hatching success, larval survival to first feeding, larval morphometrics and water quality were assessed. Stocking densities above 250 eggs L−1 led to significant reductions in pinfish hatching success and water quality degradation, evident from decreased dissolved oxygen and pH levels and increased nitrogenous wastes. Increased stocking densities for pigfish also resulted in significant water quality degradation, although hatching success was unaffected up to a density of 1000 eggs L−1. A high flow-through water exchange rate of 2000% daily resulted in significant reductions in nitrogenous wastes and greater stability in dissolved oxygen and pH levels during incubation when compared to static treatments of the same egg density. Additionally, the high exchange rate of 2000% was critical in maintaining high hatching success and larval survival to first feeding at stocking densities of 1000 eggs L−1 for pinfish and up to 4000 eggs L−1 for pigfish. No clear patterns in larval morphometrics were observed among stocking densities. Static incubation densities of 250 and 1000 eggs L−1 are recommended for pinfish and pigfish, respectively.
Two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization using chromogenic substrates in Xenopus

Xenopus embryo yolk proteins present a serious barrier to fluorescence microscopy. Previously, in situ assays of gene transcripts in whole embryos was limited to the use of chromogenic alkaline phosphatase substrates, which restricted researchers' ability to gauge coexpression of transcripts. Here, we describe a modified in situ hybridization (ISH) protocol that uses fluorescent substrates and a novel yolk-clearing technique for simultaneous visualization of the expression of two genes in whole Xenopus embryos with high resolution. This protocol employs two well-known fluorescent substrates, nitro blue tetrazolium/5-bromo- 4-chloro-3-indolyl-phosphate (NBT/BCIP) and Vector Red, in a sequential dual in situ hybridization procedure. Subsequent clearing of the samples with refractive-index-matching solution (RIMS) renders the samples amenable to confocal microscopy, allowing imaging at sufficiently high resolution to discern coexpression of transcripts within individual cells.
VirtualDrone: virtual sensing, actuation, and communication for attack-resilient unmanned aerial systems

As modern unmanned aerial systems (UAS) continue to expand the frontiers of automation, new challenges to security and thus its safety are emerging. It is now difficult to completely secure modern UAS platforms due to their openness and increasing complexity. We present the VirtualDrone Framework, a software architecture that enables an attack-resilient control of modern UAS. It allows the system to operate with potentially untrustworthy software environment by virtualizing the sensors, actuators, and communication channels. The framework provides mechanisms to monitor physical and logical system behaviors and to detect security and safety violations. Upon detection of such an event, the framework switches to a trusted control mode in order to override malicious system state and to prevent potential safety violations. We built a prototype quadcoper running an embedded multicore processor that features a hardware-assisted virtualization technology. We present extensive experimental study and implementation details, and demonstrate how the framework can ensure the robustness of the UAS in the presence of security breaches.
Dynamic analysis of suspension cable based on vector form intrinsic finite element method

A vector finite element method is presented for the dynamic analysis of cable structures based on the vector form intrinsic finite element (VFIFE) and mechanical properties of suspension cable. Firstly, the suspension cable is discretized into different elements by space points, the mass and external forces of suspension cable are transformed into space points. The structural form of cable is described by the space points at different time. The equations of motion for the space points are established according to the Newton's second law. Then, the element internal forces between the space points are derived from the flexible truss structure. Finally, the motion equations of space points are solved by the central difference method with reasonable time integration step. The tangential tension of the bearing rope in a test ropeway with the moving concentrated loads is calculated and compared with the experimental data. The results show that the tangential tension of suspension cable with moving loads is consistent with the experimental data. This method has high calculated precision and meets the requirements of engineering application.
Hume’s better argument for motivational skepticism

On a standard interpretation, Hume argued that reason is not practical, because its operations are limited to “demonstration” and “probability.” But recent critics claim that by limiting reason’s o...
Modeling Glucose and Insulin Concentration Dynamics

Modeling of glucose and insulin concentration dynamics are discussed, and two different modeling approaches are presented. Physiological models describe the glucose and insulin dynamics with differential equations and physiological rules based on detailed understanding of the glucose and insulin dynamics, mass transfer and reaction kinetics. The chapter outlines progress in physiological modeling over the years. Alternatively, data-driven empirical modeling techniques have also been used to relate the effects of various measured inputs on glucose and insulin dynamics. The advantage of the latter is ease of model development with less information about glucose and insulin dynamics, and rapid model development and updating. Several empirical model types are presented and the technical steps to develop and evaluate them are outlined.
Hydrodynamic Capture and Release of Passively Driven Particles by Active Particles Under Hele-Shaw Flows

The transport of active and passive particles plays central roles in diverse biological phenomena and engineering applications. In this paper, we present a theoretical investigation of a system consisting of an active particle and a passive particle in a confined micro-fluidic flow. The introduction of an external flow is found to induce the capture of the passive particle by the active particle via long-range hydrodynamic interactions among the particles. This hydrodynamic capture mechanism relies on an attracting stable equilibrium configuration formed by the particles, which occurs when the external flow intensity exceeds a certain threshold. We evaluate this threshold by studying the stability of the equilibrium configurations analytically and numerically. Furthermore, we study the dynamics of typical capture and non-capture events and characterize the basins of attraction of the equilibrium configurations. Our findings reveal a critical dependence of the hydrodynamic capture mechanism on the external flow intensity. Through adjusting the external flow intensity across the stability threshold, we demonstrate that the active particle can capture and release the passive particle in a controllable manner. Such a capture-and-release mechanism is desirable for biomedical applications such as the capture and release of therapeutic payloads by synthetic micro-swimmers in targeted drug delivery.
Contingency Theory, Agent-Based Systems, and a Virtual Advisor

In this article, we investigate the potential of using a synthesis of organizational research, traditional systems analysis techniques, and agent-based computing in the creation and teaching of a Contingency Theoretic Systems Design (CTSD) model. To facilitate understanding of the new design model, we briefly provide the necessary background of these diverse fields, describe the conceptualization used in the integration process, and give a non-technical overview of an example implementation in a very complex design environment. The example utilized in this article is a Smart Agent Resource for Advising (SARA), an intelligent multi-agent advising system for college students. To test all of the potential of our CTSD model, we created SARA utilizing a distributed instructional model in a multi-university, multi-disciplinary cooperative design process. Just as a dynamic task environment forces an organization to compress its management structure and to outsource non-core activities in order to become flexible, a dynamic software development environment forces designers to create modular software. Until now, cooperative development paradigms were too complex to facilitate inter-organizational cooperative development efforts. With the increasing popularity of standards-based Web services, the development of pervasive computing technologies, and the advent of more powerful rapid application development languages and IDEs, this limitation has been removed. Our purpose in this research is twofold: first, to test the viability of using Contingency Theory (CT), a sub-discipline of Management Organizational Theory (OT), in an agent-based system; and second, to use these new technologies in creating a distributed instructional model that will allow students to interact with others in diverse educational environments. As an example implementation, we create a virtual advisor that will facilitate student advising in distributed environments. In the following sections, we outline the background theories involved in the conceptualization of our design model. We start with the shifts in systems design techniques and how CT can be applied to them and to various Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) to allow Contingency Theoretic Systems Design (CTSD). Once the necessary background is in place, we briefly discuss our new eLearning approach to cooperative distributed education. Finally, the structure of the SARA is discussed.
Urgent and Emergent Conversions in Robotic Surgery

Robotically assisted operations are now commonplace at many hospitals. Recent development of new instrumentation for robotic surgery and increasing expertise at many centers now allow the most intricate of operations to be accomplished by robotically assisted techniques. Esophagectomies, low anterior resections, hepatectomies, pancreaticoduodenectomies, and pneumonectomies are just some of the major operations routinely performed at specialty centers by robotically assisted techniques [1].
An interaction between climate change and infectious disease drove widespread amphibian declines.

Climate change might drive species declines by altering species interactions, such as host-parasite interactions. However, few studies have combined experiments, field data, and historical climate records to provide evidence that an interaction between climate change and disease caused any host declines. A recently proposed hypothesis, the thermal mismatch hypothesis, could identify host species that are vulnerable to disease under climate change because it predicts that cool- and warm-adapted hosts should be vulnerable to disease at unusually warm and cool temperatures, respectively. Here, we conduct experiments on Atelopus zeteki, a critically endangered, captively bred frog that prefers relatively cool temperatures, and show that frogs have high pathogen loads and high mortality rates only when exposed to a combination of the pathogenic chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) and high temperatures, as predicted by the thermal mismatch hypothesis. Further, we tested various hypotheses to explain recent declines experienced by species in the amphibian genus Atelopus that are thought to be associated with B. dendrobatidis and reveal that these declines are best explained by the thermal mismatch hypothesis. As in our experiments, only the combination of rapid increases in temperature and infectious disease could account for the patterns of declines, especially in species adapted to relatively cool environments. After combining experiments on declining hosts with spatiotemporal patterns in the field, our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that widespread species declines, including possible extinctions, have been driven by an interaction between increasing temperatures and infectious disease. Moreover, our findings suggest that hosts adapted to relatively cool conditions will be most vulnerable to the combination of increases in mean temperature and emerging infectious diseases.
Clinical Implementation of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Assays

As next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies become more cost-effective and feasible to implement, they are increasingly utilized within clinical molecular diagnostic laboratories for various indications. However, laboratory directors need to be prepared for the numerous challenges associated with the implementation of NGS technologies. These include the need to select an appropriate platform based on the purpose of the test, to recruit appropriately trained technical and bioinformatics personnel, to effectively store large amounts of data, to perform appropriate test validation for both the wet lab and bioinformatics components, to ensure appropriate informed consent if indicated, and to provide useful result reporting back to ordering clinicians. Guideline documents now exist, and many laboratories have already successfully applied the existing clinical laboratory regulations to this novel category of high-complexity testing. Nevertheless, NGS technologies hold great promise for the future despite some currently perceived barriers to implementation.