cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic and molecular characterization of fenhexamid resistance in Botrytis cinerea isolates collected from pistachio orchards and grape vineyards in California

Abstract Botrytis cinerea causes Botrytis blossom, shoot and fruit blight in pistachio and gray mold in grape. The hydroxyanilide (Hyd) fenhexamid, one of the most frequently used fungicides for Botrytis control, inhibits the 3-ketoreductase (Erg27) of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. Due to its site-specific mode of action, this fungicide is at-risk for resistance development. In this study, 74 and 58 B. cinerea isolates, collected from Californian pistachio orchards and grape vineyards, respectively, were evaluated for their in vitro sensitivity toward fenhexamid. Of the 58 grape isolates, 90% were sensitive to fenhexamid (HydS, EC50 50 μg/ml) phenotypes toward fenhexamid, respectively. The 3-ketoreductase erg27 gene was sequenced from all the 29 B. cinerea fenhexamid-resistant phenotypes (HydLR, WR, MR, HR) detected in this study. The resulting sequences were then compared to corresponding sequences obtained from 21 fenhexamid-sensitive isolates (HydS). Of the 6 HydLR phenotype from grape, 3 had a substitution of proline to serine at position 238 (P238S). No mutations were found in the remaining 3 HydLR nor in the 10 HydLR pistachio isolates. The only HydWR phenotype from pistachio presented a change at position 309 resulting the replacement of valine to Methionine (V309M). Among the HydMR phenotype from pistachio, two had F412S alteration while the other two possessed the L400F alteration at position 400. Highly resistant isolates (HydHR) carried a substitution of the phenylalanine at position 412, either serine (F412S) or isoleucine (F412I). Inoculations on detached grape berries showed that field rates of Elevate® 50 WDG (fenhexamid) controlled HydS and HydLR, but not the HydMR and HydHR phenotypes. The presence of B. cinerea fenhexamid-resistant phenotypes in pistachio and grape fields in California must be monitored continually and resistance management practices implemented as needed for sustained Botrytis blossom, shoot and fruit blight and gray mold controls with Elevate® 50 WDG.
“Escribirlo es nunca acabar”: cuatrocientos cinco años de lecturas y silencios una de Opera Aperta colonial andina

This essay introduces a collection of scholarly contributions, from inside and outside of Peru, to the study of the Andean colonial world. These essays address once again Guaman Poma de Ayala’s chronicle in its 405thanniversary in 2020. Unknown, invisible, mute for almost 300 years, the ladino Indian’s “letter to the king” reveals itself as a talkative text since its discovery at the Royal Library in Copenhagen, Denmark, at the beginning of the twentieth century. In a bit more than 100 years, Guaman Poma’s work became a talkative text while keeping its enigmatic and cryptic nature. In order to provide a context to the essays that follow, this introduction provides a review of proposed readings related to Guaman Poma’s works in the context of the celebration of its 400th anniversary. It also oﬀers a reﬂection about the open nature of Guaman Poma area studies.
Perturbation-based balance training targeting both slip- and trip-induced falls among older adults: a randomized controlled trial

Falls are the leading cause of injuries among older adults. Perturbation-based balance training (PBT) is an innovative approach to fall prevention that aims to improve the reactive balance response following perturbations such as slipping and tripping. Many of these PBT studies have targeted reactive balance after slipping or tripping, despite both contributing to a large proportion of older adult falls. The goal of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of PBT targeting slipping and tripping on laboratory-induced slips and trips. To build upon prior work, the present study included: 1) a control group; 2) separate training and assessment sessions; 3) PBT methods potentially more amenable for use outside the lab compared to methods employed elsewhere, and 4) individualized training for older adult participants. Thirty-four community-dwelling, healthy older adults (61–75 years) were assigned to PBT or a control intervention using minimization. Using a parallel design, reactive balance (primary outcome) and fall incidence were assessed before and after four sessions of BRT or a control intervention involving general balance exercises. Assessments involved exposing participants to an unexpected laboratory-induced slip or trip. Reactive balance and fall incidence were compared between three mutually-exclusive groups: 1) baseline participants who experienced a slip (or trip) before either intervention, 2) post-control participants who experienced a slip (or trip) after the control intervention, and 3) post-PBT participants who experienced a slip (or trip) after PBT. Neither the participants nor investigators were blinded to group assignment. All 34 participants completed all four sessions of their assigned intervention, and all 34 participants were analyzed. Regarding slips, several measures of reactive balance were improved among post-PBT participants when compared to baseline participants or post-control participants, and fall incidence among post-PBT participants (18%) was lower than among baseline participants (80%). Regarding trips, neither reactive balance nor fall incidence differed between groups. PBT targeting slipping and tripping improved reactive balance and fall incidence after laboratory-induced slips. Improvements were not observed after laboratory-induced trips. The disparity in efficacy between slips and trip may have resulted from differences in dosage and specificity between slip and trip training. Name of Clinical Trial Registry: clinicaltrials.gov Trial Registration number: NCT04308239 . Date of Registration: March 13, 2020 (retrospectively registered).
One-Pot Synthesis of Lactose Derivatives from Whey Permeate

The simultaneous production of lactulose (LAU), lactobionic acid (LBA), and organic acids from sweet and acid whey permeate (SWP and AWP) via catalytic synthesis (5% Ru/C) was studied in a continuous stirred-tank reactor. At selected conditions (60 °C, 60 bar, and 600 rpm), a maximum conversion of lactose (37 and 34%) was obtained after 90 min for SWP and AWP, respectively. The highest yield calculated with respect to the initial concentration of lactose for LAU was 22.98 ± 0.81 and 15.29 ± 0.81% after only 30 min for SWP, and AWP, respectively. For LBA, a maximum yield was found in SWP (5.23%) after 210 min, while about 2.2% was found in AWP. Six major organic acids (gluconic, pyruvic, lactic, formic, acetic, and citric acid) were quantified during the one-pot synthesis of lactose.
Bilateral vs Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: Racial Variation in Utilization and In-Hospital Major Complication Rates

Abstract Background We sought to examine bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) vs unilateral TKA (UTKA) utilization and in-hospital complications comparing African Americans (AAs) and Whites. Methods In this retrospective analysis of patients ≥50 years who underwent elective primary TKA, the (2007-2016) database of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (National Inpatient Sample) was used. We computed differences in temporal trends in utilization and major in-hospital complication rates of BTKA vs UTKA comparing AAs and Whites. We performed multivariable logistic regression models to assess racial differences in trends adjusting for individual-, hospital- and community-level variables. Discharge weights were used to enable nationwide estimates. We used multiple imputation procedures to impute values for 12% missing race information. Results An estimated 276,194 BTKA and 5,528,429 UTKA were performed in the US. The proportion of BTKA among all TKAs declined, and AAs were significantly less likely to undergo BTKA compared to Whites throughout the study period (trend P = .01). In-hospital complication rates for UTKA were higher in AAs compared to Whites throughout the study period (trend P Conclusion In this nationwide sample of patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty from 2007 to 2016, the utilization of BTKA was higher in Whites compared to AAs. On the other hand, while AAs have consistently higher in-hospital complication rates in UTKA over the time period, this pattern was not consistent for BTKA.
Understanding Sexual Complaints and History Taking: A Standardized Patient Case on Dyspareunia for Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship Students

Introduction Learning to elicit a sexual history and counsel patients on sexual pain aligns with the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics clerkship objectives. This topic can be c...
Abstract P072: Income And Education Inequities Increase Hospitalizations In Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF) experience increased hospitalization. Income and education are major social determinants of health, but their contributions to hospitalization ...
CoStar: a verified ALL(*) parser

Parsers are security-critical components of many software systems, and verified parsing therefore has a key role to play in secure software design. However, existing verified parsers for context-free grammars are limited in their expressiveness, termination properties, or performance characteristics. They are only compatible with a restricted class of grammars, they are not guaranteed to terminate on all inputs, or they are not designed to be performant on grammars for real-world programming languages and data formats. In this work, we present CoStar, a verified parser that addresses these limitations. The parser is implemented with the Coq Proof Assistant and is based on the ALL(*) parsing algorithm. CoStar is sound and complete for all non-left-recursive grammars; it produces a correct parse tree for its input whenever such a tree exists, and it correctly detects ambiguous inputs. CoStar also provides strong termination guarantees; it terminates without error on all inputs when applied to a non-left-recursive grammar. Finally, CoStar achieves linear-time performance on a range of unambiguous grammars for commonly used languages and data formats.
A highly legible CAPTCHA that resists segmentation attacks

A CAPTCHA which humans find to be highly legible and which is designed to resist automatic character–segmentation attacks is described. As first detailed in [BR05], these ‘ScatterType’ challenges are images of machine-print text whose characters have been pseudorandomly cut into pieces which have then been forced to drift apart. This scattering is designed to repel automatic segment-then-recognize computer vision attacks. We report results from an analysis of data from a human legibility trial with 57 volunteers that yielded 4275 CAPTCHA challenges and responses. We have located an operating regime—ranges of the parameters that control cutting and scattering—within which human legibility is high (better than 95% correct) even though the degradations due to scattering remain severe.
Resonance in Hawaii waters from the 2006 Kuril Islands Tsunami

[1] The 2006 Kuril Islands Tsunami, while not destructive to coastal properties, resulted in prolonged oscillations in Hawaii waters. This study examines the oscillation patterns and amplification through reconstruction of the tsunami using a nonlinear shallow-water model. After validation with water-level measurements, a Fast Fourier Transform of the computed surface elevation reveals profound oscillation modes at various periods around the Hawaiian Islands. The oscillation at the regional scale consists of standing waves across the island chain and resonance in interconnected channels, embayments, and shallow shelves. Resonance in embayments and standing edge waves dominate the oscillation in coastal waters. The results show strong correlation between bathymetric features and resonance oscillations and identify tsunami hazard areas for planning and emergency management.
Ecological Engineering of Bioreactors for Wastewater Treatment

Biological nutrient removal (BNR) systems remove carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus from wastewaters through biodegradation of organic compounds, oxidation of ammonia-N to nitrate-N, reduction of nitrate-N to N2 gas, and sequestration of phosphorus as polyphosphate. The microbial community in such systems is complex because it must contain heterotrophic bacteria capable of aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration, and fermentation; specialized heterotrophic bacteria that can store polyphosphate; and autotrophic nitrifying bacteria that can withstand long periods without oxygen. Although the basic design principles for BNR systems are reasonably well established, it is becoming apparent that a greater understanding of the microbial interactions involved is required to increase system reliability. For example, although the environment established for the selection of phosphorus accumulating organisms was thought to give them a strong competitive advantage over other heterotrophic bacteria, this has turned out not to be the case. Rather, glycogen accumulating organisms can compete quite effectively in the same environment. Furthermore, BNR systems have suffered from problems with sludge settleability, even though many of the system characteristics are considered to be conducive to the suppression of filamentous bacteria. Finally, the use of molecular techniques has revealed that the autotrophic nitrifying bacteria are different from those that had been considered to be present. This paper reviews the microbial ecology of BNR systems, establishes how molecular biology techniques are changing our understanding of that ecology, and suggests ways in which engineering control can be exerted over community structure, thereby increasing the reliability of BNR systems.
The role of conserved amino acids in substrate binding and discrimination by photolyase.

Abstract DNA photolyases catalyze the light-dependent repair of pyrimidine dimers in DNA. We have utilized chemical modification and site-directed mutagenesis to probe the interactions involved in substrate recognition by the yeast photolyase Phr1. Lys517 was protected from reductive methylation in the presence of substrate, but not in its absence, and the specific and nonspecific association constants for substrate binding by Phr1 (Lys517-->Ala) were decreased 10-fold. These results establish a role for Lys517 in substrate binding. Mutations at Arg507, Lys463, and Trp387 reduced both the overall affinity for substrate and substrate discrimination. Sites of altered interactions in ES complexes were identified by methylation and ethylation interference techniques. Interaction with the base immediately 3' to the dimer was altered in the Phr1(Lys517-->Ala). DNA complex, whereas interactions with the phosphate and base immediately 5' to the dimer were reduced when Phr1(Arg507-->Ala) bound substrate. Multiple interactions 5' and 3' to the dimer were perturbed in complexes containing Phr1(Trp387-->Ala) or Phr1(Lys463-->Ala). In addition the quantum yield for dimer photolysis by Phr1(Trp387-->Ala) was reduced 3-fold. The locations of these mutations establish that a portion of the DNA binding domain is comprised of residues in the highly conserved carboxyl-terminal half of the enzyme.
New materials with piezoelectric properties

The discovery of a piezoelectric response in low density polypropylene (LDPP) suggests that other material, properly treated, might also exhibit both piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. The search for new materials is inspired by the relatively low temperature (/spl sim/70degC) depolarization of LDPP and the desire to choose independently the mechanical and electrical properties of a transducer material. Composites of two different materials have been suggested to create a material with desirable mechanical properties and high temperature charge storage capabilities. These combination materials are designed primarily to improve thermal and mechanical stability and to produce a Young's modulus suitable for a given application. It is well known that a small class of polymers (teflon FEP and PTFE) and SiO/sub 2/ have excellent charge storage properties. We investigate the piezoelectric and charge storage properties of multilayer teflon FEP and PTFE with various interface materials of a desired shape, size and compliance. Voided teflon FEP, such as is used for insulation in high end audio cables, is also under investigation. Corona charging has been reported in the literature as the desired method to breakdown the air voids in LDPP and other materials. We use a method of charging which allows even higher fields across the sample by applying a DC voltage directly to the sample. Destructive breakdown is avoided by limiting the current through the sample. Biopolymers also offer a variety of possibilities of forming a composite in a manner that clearly separates the electroactive and bulk mechanical properties.
Comparing Approaches Toward Governing Scientific Advisory Bodies on Food Safety in the United States and the European Union

Governmental bodies must often rely upon scientific research in deciding when and how to structure regulatory programs in areas of emerging health risks. This is especially true in areas of food safety, where agencies are charged with promulgating regulations to respond to arising issues of contamination and other foodborne ailments. Because the science is in development in these areas, and because new situations often arise, research regarding food safety can be both uncertain and controversial. Thus governmental bodies regulating food safety must draw from a number of different research sources, including scientific advisory bodies, as well as regulatory research institutions and educational research institutions.
A Prospective Study on the Management of Shin Splints

A study of 2,777 first-year midshipmen was done using four prophylactic programs for prevention of shin splints. None were effective. Treatment of the ninety-seven men in whom shin splints developed was divided into five regimens. All were effective to varying degrees. Prohibition of running was common to all the treatments.
Audience reaction as a determinant of the speaker's self-persuasion☆

Abstract This paper tests effects of audience feedback on speaker attitudes. One hundred and seven male subjects with initial beliefs on both sides of an issue (women's role) were assigned to speak for or against their own position; then an “audience” provided one of three types of feedback (speaker was sincere, speaker was insincere, no feedback) in a 2 × 2 × 3 design. Subjects who received sincere feedback showed greater change in the direction of their speech than did those who received insincere feedback. No feedback treatments resulted in intermediate change. This sincere > no feedback > insincere ordering of means held for both pro- and counterattitudinal speakers and for both pretest attitudes. A main effect for pretest attitude was also obtained. Two additional control groups allow for a separate analysis of the effects of (1) preparing and delivering the speech, and (2) audience reaction to the speech.
High Performance Work Organization (HPWO) Initiatives in Television News Operations

The “high performance work organization” (HPWO) concept proposes that greater employee involvement in decision making and greater ability for workers to control their reward structure lead to more efficient workplace procedures, as well as happier workers. Although this sociological model has been studied in a variety of industries and work settings, its examination in the media industries has been limited. In seeking to fill that gap, this study undertook an e-mail survey of workers in television news to determine which, if any, HPWO initiatives stations were using and how effective they were. Findings indicate that profit sharing, in-house training, and suggestion systems were more likely to be offered than cross-training, job rotation, outside training, or merit-based pay, indicating that the HPWO initiatives that require little investment of time or money are the most likely to be offered by television stations. Station ownership patterns were not significantly correlated to presence of HPWO initiatives, and market size was only significantly correlated to 2 HPWO initiatives—outside training and profit-sharing programs. ACCESS TO FULL TEXT
Landmine discrimination using the Kullback-Leibler distance

This study looks at application of the Kullback-Leibler distance to classification in landmine discrimination. The paper explores the relationship between the information theoretic concepts of the Kullback-Leibler divergence and mutual information with special attention to the asymmetry of the typical formulation of the Kullback-Leibler distance. It shows how to use the Kullback-Leibler distance to discriminate between mines and nonmines by performing Fuzzy C-Means clustering of the density distribution of landmine electromagnetic induction signatures. Finally, it reports cross-validation results of applying these techniques to a large collection of actual landmine data and compares the results to those yielded using moments and Euclidean distance.
Electrocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) by polypyrrole-modified glassy carbon electrodes

The reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) on polypyrrole-modified glassy carbon electrodes in 0.1 M H2SO4 was studied by rotating disk electrode voltammetry. The Cr(VI) substrate concentration and the polypyrrole film thickness were used as the process variables for these experiments. The data were analyzed within the framework of the theory of Andrieux, Saveant and coworker for polymer-modified electrodes. However, the permeation of Cr(VI) into the microporous polypyrrole matrix was facile, such that direct reduction of Cr(VI) at the support electrode|polymer film boundary was also taken into account. At electrode potentials at which the polypyrrole matrix was catalytically active, the cross-reaction between the reduced polymer sites and Cr(VI) was shown to be the rate-limiting step. At more negative potentials, the electronic conductivity of polypyrrole was degraded such that charge percolation through the polymer matrix limited the catalytic reaction rate.
A juvenile polyposis tumor suppressor locus at 10q22 is deleted from nonepithelial cells in the lamina propria

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Juvenile polyps are characterized by an abundant lamina propria that lacks smooth muscle and may contain cystically dilated glands, with epithelium that seems normal and is nondysplastic. Rarely, an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern occurs. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the genetic defect in both sporadic juvenile polyps and hereditary juvenile polyposis involves loss of function for a tumor suppressor gene. METHODS: Allelic losses were detected by comparing normal DNA with tumor DNA from a series of 47 juvenile polyps from 16 patients using polymerase chain reaction amplification of microsatellite markers and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS: Somatic deletions at 10q22 were detected in 39 of 47 juvenile polyps (83%) from 16 unrelated patients with either hereditary or sporadic juvenile polyps, and the minimum overlap localized juvenile polyposis coli to the 3-cM interval D10S219- D10S1696. Fluorescent in situ hybridization shows that the cells affected by deletion mutation reside exclusively in the lamina propria, not in the epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: The location of a novel tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 10 that is affected by deletion mutation in the majority of juvenile polyps was mapped. Unlike adenomas and carcinomas of the colonic epithelium, juvenile polyps originate in the lamina propria. (Gastroenterology 1997 Apr;112(4):1398-403)
A spike train analysis for quantifying inhibitory near synchrony in spike firings

Abstract We introduce a multiple single-unit spike train analysis method to detect the inhibitory synchrony in spike firings. This paper focuses on inhibitory synchrony among neural firings, while excitatory synchronized firings are often considered in recent years. The present analysis provides a phase-plane analysis that is used to determine the inhibitory phase-locking characteristics of spike firings in a set of three simultaneously recorded neurons. The absence of points in the three-neuron phase plane provides a signature of the inhibitory synchrony phase-locked characteristics in these neurons.
Privacy and security Usable security: how to get it

Why does your computer bother you so much about security, but still isn't secure? It's because users don't have a model for security, or a simple way to keep important things safe.
A Statistical Analysis of the Accuracy of Sonography of the Patellar Tendon

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of sonography in measuring the dimensions of the cadaveric patellar tendon to determine whether sonography might have future applications in the preoperative assessment of autograft tissues before anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Eleven lower-extremity human cadaveric limbs, with an average donor age of 75 years (range, 67 to 87 years), underwent patellar sonography with a 7.5-MHz transducer. Patellar tendon thickness, width, and length were measured sonographically. After skin removal, the patellar tendon dimensions were measured manually. Sonographic and manual measurements were compared statistically. Sonographic and manual measurements showed good agreement for thickness. There was poor agreement for width and length. Because of its limited accuracy, sonography cannot be recommended for the measurement of the patellar tendon before ACL reconstruction.
Ultrafast mid-IR detection of the direct precursor to the presolvated electron following electron ejection from ferrocyanide

Abstract Excitation of Fe(CN) 6 4− complex in D 2 O solution with a 267 nm ultrashort laser pulse results in rapid charge-transfer-to-solvent, and subsequent electron hydration. Mid-IR transient absorption spectroscopy is used to investigate the ejection and earliest steps in electron solvation. A broad, intense absorption signal is observed with instrument-response-limited rise and 170±20 fs single exponential decay at all probe wavelengths studied, stretching from ∼3 to 7 μm. No significant solvent isotope dependence in the time-evolution was seen. The spectral and temporal characteristics of the mid-IR signal provide strong evidence that it arises from a step in solvation immediately preceding formation of the presolvated electron.
Trapping charged nanoparticles in the nano aerosol mass spectrometer (NAMS)

Abstract Particle trapping in the nano aerosol mass spectrometer (NAMS) is investigated through a combination of modeling and experimental measurements to understand and optimize the trapping process. In the NAMS, charged nanoparticles pass through an aerodynamic lens, digital ion guide (DIG) and field adjusting lens (FAL) prior to entering a digital ion trap (DIT) where they are captured and subsequently analyzed. The DIT is operated with a square wave potential applied to the ring electrode. SIMION modeling was used to study particle motion from the exit aperture of the DIG into the DIT. Several parameters were characterized including particle starting position, kinetic energy, trajectory and FAL design. A new FAL assembly was designed to increase the number of trapped particles. The new design was found to increase the rate that ambient particles are analyzed by over an order of magnitude. With the new design, an ambient aerosol concentration (d N /dlog d m ) of 1 × 10 3 cm −3 yields approximately 2–3 particles analyzed per minute.
Heterogeneity and its biodemographic implications for longevity and mortality.

Abstract In the visible world, heterogeneity typically refers to the differences that exist among individuals in a defined population. These differences can arise from a variety of sources — biological, behavioral and social. Ever since Darwin, scientists have argued over the biological significance of differences observed at the individual, morphological, physiological, genetic, molecular and structural levels. A general consensus has been reached. Heterogeneity is ubiquitous, it is important, and it increases as observations are made at finer levels of biological resolution. Debates over the significance of heterogeneity have emerged once again as biologists and demographers work together in order to create the emerging field of biodemography. For these scientists, the debates center around the relative impact that individual heterogeneity has on population level statistics. It is argued here that in a world where the mortality barriers to long life for individuals have been dramatically weakened, the population consequences of heterogeneity are already visible and will grow in importance as biomedical technologies continue to usher progressively more people into the post-reproductive period of the lifespan.
Bone marrow reconstitution of immune responses following irradiation in the leopard frog, Ranapipiens

Abstract The bone marrow of Rana is an important source of cells capable of maintaining individual viability, responding to Concanavalin A (Con A) and producing PFC against sheep erythrocyte (SRBC) antigens. Frog marrow is more effective than the spleen in maintaining life. Radiation destroys the ability of frogs to respond to SRBC immunization (lack of bone marrow and spleen PFC, serum antibody) and bone marrow/spleen cells to respond to Con A, i.e., bone marrow and spleen contain radiation-sensitive cells. Shielding one hind leg during irradiation leads to reconstitution of bone marrow/spleen PFC responses, antibody synthesis and individual viability. Our results suggest that bone marrow is: a) the source of stem cells, and b) the source of mature T- and B-lymphocytes that can recirculate within the immune system.
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) enhances the effects of nerve growth factor on PC12 cells

The rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 responds readily to nerve growth factor (NGF) but poorly to ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). However, in a selected line derived from PC12 that normally responded weakly to NGF, CNTF potentiated the effect of NGF with respect to inhibition of proliferation, neurite outgrowth, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) induction. ChAT activity was assayed enzymatically, and an increase in the mRNA of ChAT was also detected by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The PCR product was verified by sequencing and by Southern hybridization using a specific oligonucleotide probe. The presence of CNTF receptor in PC12 cells was confirmed by RT-PCR for its mRNA. The results indicate that PC12 responds to CNTF mainly when used in combination with NGF, and suggest an interaction between the two growth factors.
Decreasing hypothalamic insulin receptors causes hyperphagia and insulin resistance in rats

We investigated the role of hypothalamic insulin signaling in the regulation of energy balance and insulin action in rats through selective decreases in insulin receptor expression in discrete hypothalamic nuclei. We generated an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide directed against the insulin receptor precursor protein and administered this directly into the third cerebral ventricle. Immunostaining of rat brains after 7-day administration of the oligodeoxynucleotide showed a selective decrease of insulin receptor protein within cells in the medial portion of the arcuate nucleus (decreased by ∼80% as compared to rats treated with a control oligodeoxynucleotide). Insulin receptors in other hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic areas were not affected. This selective decrease in hypothalamic insulin receptor protein was accompanied by rapid onset of hyperphagia and increased fat mass. During insulin-clamp studies, physiological hyperinsulinemia decreased glucose production by 55% in rats treated with control oligodeoxynucleotides but by only 25% in rats treated with insulin receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. Thus, insulin receptors in discrete areas of the hypothalamus have a physiological role in the control of food intake, fat mass and hepatic action of insulin.
A simulation model of ammonia dynamics in commerical catfish ponds in the southeastern United States

Abstract A mechanistic model was developed to simulate annual variation of ammonia concentration in commercial (levee-type) catfish ponds in the southeastern United States. A simple mass balance approach was used to describe ammonia concentration as the balance (residual) between nitrogen sources and sinks. Two primary source processes (fish excretion and sediment diffusion) and two primary sink processes (phytoplankton uptake and nitrification) were considered. Model output predicted that 25–33% of ammonia production was derived from sediment diffusion. The rate of phytoplankton uptake of N was expected to exceed nitrification during the growing season (April-October), whereas nitrification rate would exceed phytoplankton uptake during cooler months. Nitrification rate was bimodally distributed, with peaks in spring and fall, and was related to the interaction between ammonia concentration and water temperature. Sensitivity analysis of model parameters indicated that average annual ammonia concentration was most sensitive to the partition of nitrogenous excretion between solid and dissolved fractions, average feeding rate, and phytoplankton specific uptake rate. Average annual ammonia concentration was relatively insensitive to changes in feed conversion. Model output and results of the sensitivity analysis provide insight into the magnitude and relative importance of the processes affecting ammonia transformations in commercial catfish ponds and offer possibilities for the most effective management intervention.
Verification of controllers in the presence of uncertainty : Application to styrene polymerization

This paper describes a methodology for verifying the stability and performance of closed-loop nonlinear systems, as arise in chemical plants with process controllers, when the process model is incompletely known, with uncertainty both in the parameter values and in the form of the equations. A systematic way of generating and summarizing all possible behavior patterns of the system is described. Temporal logic is used to formalize the posing of and automatic answering of qualitative questions about the response of the system. The methodology is demonstrated for controller verification in the design of a CSTR for styrene polymerization.
Penetration of a turbulent jet with negative buoyancy into the upper plenum of an LMFBR

Abstract The penetration of a turbulent jet with negative buoyancy in a uniform environment is investigated. The jet generated from a finite source is treated by using the integral representation of the governing equations. The entrainment is assumed to be dependent on the local Froude number. Numerical solutions are compared with experimental results to suggest values for three empirical constants: the entrainment coefficients and the spreading ratio of density and velocity profiles. Good agreement is obtained over a large range of initial Froude number, which determines the maximum penetration distance.
Electron transfer, harpooning, reagent orientation, and chemical intuition

Our chemical ‘intuition’ tells us that a molecule will react only if certain sites are attacked. To test this notion we have oriented molecules and reacted them in crossed molecular beams. We find that reactivity depends on reagent orientation and the ‘harpoon’ mechanism provides an explanation for much of the observed behavior. A Donor atom transfers an electron to an electrophilic Acceptor creating an unstable transient negative ion which dissociates in the direction the molecule is oriented. Ions may or may not recombine to form neutrals depending on the collision energy and the orientation. The electron is transferred to an orbital of the Acceptor (LUMO at low energy) and this transfer depends on the spatial extent of the LUMO. The nascent donor ion can perturb the transient negative ion giving different ions from those observed in attachment of free electrons.
The size of spherical virus capsomeres

The maximum size of the capsomeres of a spherical virus is discussed in the light of an analogy between this virus problem and the mathematical problem of placing equal nonoverlapping circles on a sphere.
Genetic testing and genetic counseling among medicaid-enrolled children with autism spectrum disorder in 2001 and 2007

The rise in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has resulted in increased efforts to understand the causes of this complex set of disorders that emerge early in childhood. Although research in this area is underway and yielding useful, but complex information about ASD, guidelines for the use of genetic testing and counseling among children with ASD conflict. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of use of genetic testing and counseling before the widespread implementation of clinical chromosomal microarray (CMA) to establish a baseline for the use of both services and to investigate potential disparities in the use of both services among children with ASD. We found that about two-thirds of children with ASD received genetic testing or counseling and the use of both services is increasing with time, even in the pre-CMA era. Being female and having a comorbid intellectual disability diagnosis both increased the likelihood of receiving genetic testing and genetic counseling. Initial discrepancies in the use of both services based on race/ethnicity suggest that troubling disparities observed in other services delivered to children with ASD and other mental health disorders persist in genetic testing and counseling as well. These results should incentivize further investigation of the impact of genetic testing and counseling on children with ASD and their families, and should drive efforts to explore and confront disparities in the delivery of these services, particularly with the advancing scientific research on this topic.
An international comparison of school to work transition systems: how best to evaluate outcomes

The school-to-work (S2W) transition system is a key component in creating and maintaining a productive labour force in any economy. Prior research evaluating these systems has focused on the superior outcomes of the German and Japanese systems; especially the German S2W system. Several researchers have suggested that transplanting the German system, to the US especially, will result in an improved transition for students into productive workers. This paper provides a comparison of four S2W transition systems (USA, UK, Japan, and Germany). It is based on five datasets with time spans going from 1990 to 2009. We question the conclusions drawn in previous studies about the superiority of the German system and suggest that FDI inflows and the ratio of youth to mature adult unemployment need to be included in any future S2W transition system comparisons.
Obesity Prevention among Latino Youth: School Counselors' Role in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles.

Given the burgeoning obesity problem among Latino youth and concomitant health problems (Spiotta & Luma, 2008), school counselors have begun to recognize the need for culturally sensitive programming to promote healthy lifestyles. More theoretical, evidence-based programs are needed, however, to ensure Latino youth receive appropriate interventions and services. This study provides a review of three theoretical perspectives and obesity prevention programs with recommendations to school counselors for implementing a comprehensive obesity prevention program for Latino youth.
Polymer investment molding: Method for fabricating hollow, microscale parts

Abstract Polymer investment molding combines traditional injection molding with investment casting to create hollow parts on the microscale. Silicon mold inserts are manufactured using reactive ion etching or anisotropic wet etching. Then, a sacrificial element is placed in the mold. Plastic is injected into the mold and around the sacrificial element using an injection molding press. After removing the plastic part from the mold, liquid etchant dissolves the sacrificial element leaving a hollow plastic part. To demonstrate the process microneedles were formed by injection molding Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (Ticona Topas ® ) around 32 μm diameter aluminum bond wire. Hollow, in-plane, microneedles were then achieved by dissolving the bond wire away in liquid aluminum etchant. Rectangular cross-section needles were created with dimensions of 130 μm × 100 μm, overall lengths of 280 μm, and approximate inner diameter of 35 μm. Tapered needles were also created having an approximately triangular cross-section with two 105 μm sides and one 150 μm side. These needles had a base-to-tip length of 300 μm and approximate inner diameter of 35 μm.
Social structure and debates on fisheries management in the Atlantic surf clam fishery

Abstract The surf clam fishery of the mid-Atlantic experienced a sharp decline in resources in the mid-1970s and impressive increase in clam populations by the mid-1980s. Public response to the former, triggered by a severe anoxic condition and near-disaster in 1976, was to impose strict regulations on the fishing fleet and create limits on the number of vessels. Response to the latter has been to impose even stricter regulations and to move toward a privatized limited access regime. We show how social structure within the fishing industry affects the management process.
The people and process of investing in facilities

How people are drawn into and engaged with the process of planning new facilities for science has a direct relationship with the quality and character of the spaces that emerge from that effort.
Wandering Data: A Scalable, Durable System for Effective Visualization of Patient Health Data

Increased adoption of electronic health records has lead to a large amount of available patient data. However, these data are often difficult to access and visualize, leading to chokepoints in clinical practice. Wandering Data is a web application designed to deliver useful, intuitive visualizations of patient data, with a focus on efficient communication of information through uniform delivery and thoughtful design. In this paper we describe the system's development, structure, and functionality.
The Clonal Selection Theory: what it really is and why modern challenges are misplaced

Historical insight: The clonal selection theory of antibody formation has recently been subjected to challenge from many quarters. A review of its history and that of scientific theories in general points to the importance of distinguishing between the central hypotheses of a theory and its subsidiary implications.
Platelet agglutination and deagglutination with a sulfhydryl inhibitor, methyl mercuric nitrate: Relationships to platelet ATPase

Abstract The effects of methyl mercuric nitrate (MMN) on platelet ATPase activity and on agglutination and deagglutination of washed canine platelets were studied. Through use of “aging” platelets, the platelet agglutinating activity of MMN was compared with that of ADP, thrombin, and trypsin. Methyl mercuric nitrate, in a concentration that produced platelet agglutination, enhanced platelet ATPase activity in the presence of calcium. A concentration of MMN, which previously was demonstrated to inhibit ADP and thrombin-induced platelet agglutination, either failed to enhance or was inhibitory to ATPase activity. By the use of 2 × 10 −4 M MMN, platelet agglutination induced by thrombin and Ca ++ was separated into a stage characterized by ready deagglutination and a stage with incomplete or no observable deagglutination. Washed canine platelets, “aged” at 28°C, retained their agglutinability with MMN as well as with thrombin and trypsin after they would no longer agglutinate with ADP. The presence of resinated, BaSO 4 -adsorbed plasma in the final agglutination systems prolonged the agglutinability of “aging” washed platelets with both ADP and MMN, but failed to equalize the two systems. It is suggested that the agglutinating and deagglutinating properties of weak and strong MMN are related to platelet ATPase activity and changes in platelet repellent force.
INFLUENCE OF AGE ON THE EFFECT OF THYROIDECTOMY IN THE RHESUS MONKEY1

THE EXPERIMENTS to be reported in this paper were primarily intended to supplement our knowledge of the effects of thyroid insufficiency in man. The rhesus monkey QAacaca mulatto) was chosen as the experimental animal since we assumed that thyroidectomy in any catarrhine primate would have the same effects as in man. Unexpectedly, however, our first experiments showed this assumption to be wrong. Total thyroidectomy had no apparent effect on the adult rhesus monkey. A review of the older literature revealed conflicting reports concerning the effect of thyroidectomy on monkeys. Horsley in 1884 and 1886 was the first to report extirpation of the thyroid in monkeys. Besides symptoms of tetany, which would be referred today to lesions of the parathyroid, he ob-served gradual development of ‘the symptoms of the disease termed myxe-dema by Dr. Ord, and ordinary cretinism.’
Personality Characteristics of Female Narcotic Addicts

This study compared the personality characteristics, as measured by the Adjective Check List, of 84 institutionalized female narcotic addicts with 176 normal females. The addicts checked more adjectives and described themselves as being less defensive, self-controlled, personally adjusted, need-achieving, dominant, enduring, orderly, nurturant, and deferent and more unfavorable, labile, heterosexual, exhibitionistic, autonomous, aggressive, succorant, and attracted to novel experiences. Collectively, the results indicate the female addict engages in immature social interactions. Suggestions for further research involved, among other issues, a therapeutic approach aimed at the development of meaningful interpersonal relationships.
Design and Performance of a Broadband 10MHz Transducer for Elevated Temperature, Leave-in-Place Applications

This paper describes the novel design of an ultrasonic normal beam transducer for prolonged use in elevated temperature environments. Through the use of a Carbon/Carbon composite backing layer, prolonged exposure to elevated temperature had minimal effect on transducer performance. The conductive nature of the Carbon/Carbon allowed for an innovative electrical coupling technique. A clamping mechanism combined with the use of an annealed gold quarter-wave matching layer allowed for joint-free, dry coupling. This simple design allows for easy field assembly and eliminates temperature dependencies in the acoustic coupling. The transducer was tested initially at room temperature for reference data. Further tests after 100+ hours of exposure to a 77°C environment showed little overall change in the transducer performance. The transducer showed consistent −6dB bandwidths on the order of 54–67%, along with negligible change in centerline frequency. The insertion loss as a function of temperature showed an increase from approximately 6.8dB to 8.5dB over a temperature range from 25°C to 85°C. Regression lines show bandwidth changes of −0.01% per °C and insertion loss changes of 0.03dB per °C. These results show potential use for a transducer of this design at even higher temperatures.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Practical Assessment for Physical Education Teachers

(1996). Practical Assessment for Physical Education Teachers. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 67, No. 8, pp. 35-37.
Weak decays of charmed hadrons. II. Soft-meson theorems

Soft-meson theorems, inclusive and exclusive, are derived for weak nonleptonic decay of charmed hadrons in the context of the four-quark model of weak interactions.