cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alkaline Phosphatase Inhibition by Parathyroid Hormone and Isoproterenol in a Clonal Rat Osteosarcoma Cell Line. Possible Mediation by Cyclic AMP

The effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH 1–34 bovine) on alkaline phosphatase activity was investigated in an osteoblast-like clonal cell line derived from rat osteosarcoma (ROS 17/2). ROS 17/2 alkaline phosphatase resembled the bone enzyme in levamisole sensitivity and electrophoretic mobility but differed in heat stability. The specific activity of ROS 17/2 alkaline phosphatase increased with time in culture. This increase was inhibited by PTH (1–34) and (-)-isoproterenol in a dose-dependent manner starting at near-physiological hormone concentrations. The ID50 values were 0.02 nM for PTH (1–34) and 1.7 nM for isoproterenol. The two hormones stimulated ROS 17/2 adenylate cyclase, albeit at higher concentrations: Km values were 13 nM for PTH (1–34) and 16 nM for isoproterenol. The rise in alkaline phosphatase was also inhibited by dibutyryl cyclic AMP and 8-bromocyclic AMP (0.1 mM). These findings further document the osteoblastic properties of the ROS 17/2 osteosarcoma cell line, suggest that PTH inhibition of alkaline phosphatase represents a physiological response to the hormone in these cells, and implicate cyclic AMP as a mediator of this PTH effect.
Oxygen consumption and whole body lactate accumulation during progressive hypoxia in the tropical freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Daytime and nighttime rates of oxygen consumption (VO2) were determined for young freshwater prawns during progressive hypoxia. During daytime hypoxia VO2 fell slightly, then was maintained at 0.200 ml O2/gm/h to 40 mm Hg partial pressure of oxygen. Below 40 mm Hg VO2 fell markedly. At night VO2 averaged 0.310 ml O2/gm/h before falling at a critical pressure (Pcr) of 65 mm Hg. Sets of prawns were exposed to progressive hypoxia both day and night at rates simulating conditions during the closed respirometry studies. Prawns were sacrificed at different PO2s and analyzed for whole body lactate concentrations. Concentrations of 0.153 mg lactate/gm body weight were unchanged until the respective Pcr was reached during either day or night. Below Pcr lactate concentrations increased at a constant rate regardless of the severity of hypoxia. Combined aerobic metabolism and anaerobic glycolysis did not increase as a result of progressive hypoxia, indicating a small energy requirement for oxyregulation. Anaerobic energy production via glycolysis during hypoxia proceeded at only 1–3% of the regulated aerobic metabolism. This is much less than in other crustaceans, underscoring the importance of well-aerated environments both in Machrobrachium rosenbergii's natural habitat and under aquaculture conditions.
Externalization and Emergence: On the Status of Parameters in the Minimalist Program

1. The Tension Raised by Parameters in a Minimalist Setting It is widely assumed that the Minimalist Program imposes a boundary condition on theories of language, namely, that the human language faculty (FL) has a Principles‐and‐Parameters (P&P)-like architecture (Chomsky 1981, 1993). Hornstein et al. (2005: 5), for example, maintain that this perspective represents the “consensus view of the overall structure of the language faculty”. Accompanying this core tenet is the Strong Minimalist Thesis (SMT), which holds that FL is perfectly/optimally designed to meet the interactive needs of the languageexternal (but organism-internal) cognitive sub-systems with which it interfaces, namely, the conceptual‐intentional (C‐I) and sensorimotor (SM) systems. Taken together, these two hypotheses raise a fundamental tension that is rarely considered. One goal of this brief is to bring this issue to light in hopes of stimulating sustained productive discussion and thus begin chipping away at admittedly broad and challenging related inquiries. The basic question that the SMT raises in a P&P-model of grammar is this: To what extent would a parameter-free FL represent a departure from optimal design? One might put it another way. Why did FL evolve with flexible (i.e. parameterizable) principles over a more minimal/streamlined format consisting solely of fixed principles? We might reason that the net effect of a rigid FL would be to minimize surface language variation. From the perspective of communicative economy, this would appear to be a non-trivial boon. Thus, in light of the SMT, the P&P hypothesis raises challenging questions about the evolution of FL and the origin of parameters (i.e. the roots of language variation). Given the success of the model in resolving tensions of descriptive and explanatory adequacy, it is unlikely that the P&P lens will be abandoned anytime soon. Pursuing the SMT alongside the parameterized FL hypothesis thus forces one to confront a formidable question. In what way can the flexibility of parameterization be squared with the optimal design of FL? Before addressing this issue, it is important to acknowledge that although
Insects Represent a Link between Food Animal Farms and the Urban Environment for Antibiotic Resistance Traits

ABSTRACT Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections result in higher patient mortality rates, prolonged hospitalizations, and increased health care costs. Extensive use of antibiotics as growth promoters in the animal industry represents great pressure for evolution and selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on farms. Despite growing evidence showing that antibiotic use and bacterial resistance in food animals correlate with resistance in human pathogens, the proof for direct transmission of antibiotic resistance is difficult to provide. In this review, we make a case that insects commonly associated with food animals likely represent a direct and important link between animal farms and urban communities for antibiotic resistance traits. Houseflies and cockroaches have been shown to carry multidrug-resistant clonal lineages of bacteria identical to those found in animal manure. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated proliferation of bacteria and horizontal transfer of resistance genes in the insect digestive tract as well as transmission of resistant bacteria by insects to new substrates. We propose that insect management should be an integral part of pre- and postharvest food safety strategies to minimize spread of zoonotic pathogens and antibiotic resistance traits from animal farms. Furthermore, the insect link between the agricultural and urban environment presents an additional argument for adopting prudent use of antibiotics in the food animal industry.
Multi-sender cheap talk with restricted state spaces

This paper analyzes multi-sender cheap talk when the state space might be restricted, either because the policy space is restricted or the set of rationalizable policies of the receiver is not the whole space. We provide a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a fully-revealing perfect Bayesian equilibrium for any state space. We show that if biases are large enough and are not in similar directions, where the notion of similarity depends on the shape of the state space, then there is no fully-revealing perfect Bayesian equilibrium. The results suggest that boundedness, as opposed to dimensionality, of the state space plays an important role in determining the qualitative implications of a cheap talk model. We also investigate equilibria that satisfy a robustness property, diagonal continuity.
Solute Trapping of Ge in Al

Partitioning during rapid solidification of dilute Al-Ge alloys has been investigated. Implanted thin films of Al have been pulsed-laser melted to obtain solidification at velocities in the range of 0.01 m/s to 3.3 m/s, as measured by the transient conductance technique. Previous and subsequent Rutherford Backscattering depth profiling of the Ge solute in the Al alloys has been used to determine the nonequilibrium partition coefficient k. A significant degree of lateral film growth during solidification confines determination of k to the placing of an upper bound of 0.22 on k for solidification velocities in this range. We place a lower limit of 10m/s on the ”diffusive velocity,„ which locates the transition from solute paritioning to solute trapping in the Continuous Growth Model.
Intrinsic oxygen use kinetics of transformed plant root culture.

Root meristem oxygen uptake, root tip extension rate, and specific growth rate are assessed as a function of dissolved oxygen level for three transformed root cultures. The influence of hydrodynamic boundary layer was considered for all measurements to permit correlation of oxygen-dependent kinetics with the concentration of oxygen at the surface of the root meristem. Oxygen uptake rate is shown to be saturated at ambient conditions, and a saturation level of approximately 300 micromole O2/(cm(3) tissue.hr) was observed for all three of these morphologically diverse root types. In nearly all cases, the observation of a minimum oxygen pressure, below which respiration, extension, or root growth would not occur, could be accounted for as a boundary layer mass transfer resistance. The critical oxygen pressure below which respiration declines is below saturated ambient oxygen conditions. In contrast, critical oxygen pressures for root tip extension were much higher; extension was nearly linear for the two thicker root types (Hyoscyamus muticus, henbain; Solanum tuberosum, potato) above ambient oxygen levels. The performance of the thinnest root, Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) was consistent with reduced internal limitations for oxygen transport. Extension rates did not correlate with biomass accumulation. The fastest growing henbain culture micro = 0.44 day(-)(1)) displayed the slowest extension rate (0.16 mm/hr), and the slowest growing mustard culture (micro = 0.22 day(-)(1)) had the fastest tip extension rate (0.3 mm/hr). This apparent paradox is explained in terms of root branching patterns, where the root branching ratio is shown to be dependent upon the oxygen-limited mersitem extension rate. The implications of these observations on the performance of root culture in bioreactors is discussed.
Restitution of function and collateral sprouting in the cat spinal cord: the deafferented animal.

Unilateral hindlimb deafferentation is followed initially by generalized loss of all reflex and useful function. As useful movement returns, certain descending reflexes recover and become hyperactive: crossed reflexes do not. Recovery of movement and reflex hyperactivity are then abolished by subsequent destruction of the ipsilateral descending systems. Although there is no sprouting from contralateral dorsal roots, bilateral degeneration of descending systems is asymmetrical, being greater in density and distribution on the previously deafferented side. Collateral sprouting to certain spinal laminae apparently took place during the recovery period from the same source which mediated reflex hyperactivity; the ipsilateral descending systems. A substantial descending projection to Clarke's nucleus was found only on the experimental side, however, suggesting that a central feedback system replaced the abolished peripheral feedback. If functional, this might subserve recovery of the ability to maintain a limb position. Chronically deafferented cats which are then transected show, for the first time, hyperreflexia of crossed responses, which develops gradually during the first week post-transection. It may be related to sprouting of contralateral dorsal roots for contralateral ganglion injection with 3H-proline gives a larger than normal ipsilateral distribution of grain density over the commissural nuclei. It is suggested that recovery and hyperactivity of reflex responses underlie the recovery of useful movement and that reflex recovery may be related to collateral sprouting. It is also suggested that both the reflex and the anatomical response to a given lesion is restricted to only one of the remaining systems and is therefore a specific rather than a generalized response.
Research and Research Training in Social Work: Climate, Connections, and Competencies

This article focuses on factors proposed as necessary to move social work toward the development of more and better research. These factors include, first, research-supportive climates in schools of social work: Schools of social work need to ensure that the conduct of research is valued, time for its conduct is protected, and individual and organizational resources undergird it. Second, social work researchers require stronger connections to researchers in other disciplines, to practice settings, and to potential funders of research. Third, new levels of competence are required if social work researchers are to address increasingly complex social and interpersonal problems. Social work investigators must be well trained to use existing methods and to develop new methodologies. Implications are discussed for social work education.
Glucose Regulation of Insulin Gene Expression Requires the Recruitment of p300 by the β-Cell-Specific Transcription Factor Pdx-1

Regulation of insulin gene expression in response to increases in blood glucose levels is essential for maintaining normal glucose homeostasis; however, the exact mechanisms by which glucose stimulates insulin gene transcription are not known. We have shown previously that glucose stimulates insulin gene expression by causing the hyperacetylation of histone H4 at the insulin promoter. We demonstrate that the histone acetyltransferase p300 is recruited to the insulin promoter only at high concentrations of glucose via its interaction with the beta-cell-specific transcription factor Pdx-1. Disruption of the function of the endogenous Pdx-1 abolishes the recruitment of p300 to the insulin gene promoter at high concentrations of glucose and results in decreased histone H4 acetylation and insulin gene expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the glucose-dependent interaction of Pdx-1 with p300 is regulated by a phosphorylation event that changes the localization of Pdx-1. Based on these data, we conclude that hyperacetylation of histone H4 at the insulin gene promoter in response to high concentrations of glucose depends on the beta-cell-specific transcription factor Pdx-1, which is required for the recruitment of the histone acetyltransferase p300 to the insulin gene promoter.
Fusion of radar and optical sensors for space robotic vision

Returned radar power estimates are used in an iterative procedure which generates successive approximations to the target shape in order to determine the shape of a 3-D surface. A simulation is shown which involves the reconstruction of an edge of a flat plate. Although this is a somewhat artificial example, it addresses the real problem of recovering edges of space objects lost in shadow or against a dark background. The results indicate that a microwave/optical sensor fusion system is possible, given sufficient computing power and accurate radar cross section measuring systems. >
The origin of secondary flow in turbulent flow along a corner

The mechanisms which initiate secondary flow in developing turbulent flow along a corner are examined on the basis of both energy and vorticity considerations. This is done by experimentally evaluating the terms of an energy balance and vorticity balance applied to the mean motion along a corner bisector. The results show that a transverse flow is initiated and directed towards the corner as a direct result of turbulent shear stress gradients normal to the bisector. The results further indicate that anisotropy of the turbulent normal stresses does not play a major role in the generation of secondary flow. Possible extensions of the present results to other related flow situations are ahstrated and discussed.
Regularity properties of optimal control in a problem with mixed and pure state constraints

In this paper we report conditions ensuring Lipschitz continuity of optimal control and Lagrange multipliers for a dynamic optimization problem with inequality pure state and mixed state-control constraints.
Homoeosis in Drosophila: Evidence for a maternal effect of the polycomb locus

When heterozygous, dominant mutant alleles of the Polycomb locus are associated with a variety of adult homoeotic effects. Zygotes homozygous for these alleles die as late embryos showing homoeotic transformation of head, thoracic, and abdominal segments. This study shows that embryos homozygous for Pc3 are more extreme than those homozygous for Pc1 or Pc2. Moreover, Pc1/Pc3 heterozygotes are more extensively transformed if their mothers were Pc3/ + than if they were Pc1/ +; this effect does not depend on zygotic genetic background and must be maternal in nature. Embryos homozygous for Pc3 are less extreme if they arise from Pc3/ + / + than from Pc3/ + mothers. These results strongly suggest that the Polycomb locus acts maternally as well as zygotically to affect early determinative decisions.
Cancer Biology Relating to Minimal Access Management

The introduction of laparoscopic colon resection for colon carcinoma in the 1990s was accompanied by a series of case reports of port site recurrences which appeared to occur with alarming frequency [1–8]. These reports tempered the initial enthusiasm for laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer. They also prompted several lines of laboratory and clinical investigation, including animal experiments which attempted to replicate the cancer biology of laparoscopic cancer surgery, prospective accumulation of data regarding laparoscopic colon resection, and finally the organization and execution of several large-scale randomized clinical trials comparing laparoscopic and open resection for colorectal cancer.
C2 auditing in the X Display Manager

This paper describes the implementation of C2 auditing in the MIT X Consortium X Display Manager (XDM) on a Sun Workstation. This custom implementation of XDM audits user logins, attempted logins and logouts by creating a C2 audit trail in the workstation's audit file. Additionally, when a user has exceeded a specified number of failed login attempts, the user's account and/or workstation may be disabled. >
ETHNIC AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN FATHERS' INVOLVEMENT A Racial/Ethnic Comparison of African American, Hispanic, and White Fathers

Using national-level data, this analysis examines American fathers' participation in three domains of child rearing for children aged 5 to 18 years. Focus is placed on the extent to which participation varies by race or ethnicity, gender and family ideologies, and the interaction between these factors. Results show that minority fathers consistently outperform White fathers in the cognitive domain. Findings also show that fathers' involvement is a function of an interplay between race or ethnicity and cultural ideologies.
Compression of correlated binary sources using turbo codes

We propose the use of punctured turbo codes for compression of correlated binary sources. Compression is achieved because of puncturing. The resulting performance is close to the theoretical limit provided by the Slepian-Wolf (1973) theorem. No information about the correlation between sources is required in the encoding process. The proposed source decoder utilizes iterative schemes, and performs well even when the correlation between the sources is not known in the decoder, since it can be estimated jointly with the iterative decoding process.
Decoding with limited neural data: a mixture of time-warped trajectory models for directional reaches

Neuroprosthetic devices promise to allow paralyzed patients to perform the necessary functions of everyday life. However, to allow patients to use such tools it is necessary to decode their intent from neural signals such as electromyograms (EMGs). Because these signals are noisy, state of the art decoders integrate information over time. One systematic way of doing this is by taking into account the natural evolution of the state of the body—by using a so-called trajectory model. Here we use two insights about movements to enhance our trajectory model: (1) at any given time, there is a small set of likely movement targets, potentially identified by gaze; (2) reaches are produced at varying speeds. We decoded natural reaching movements using EMGs of muscles that might be available from an individual with spinal cord injury. Target estimates found from tracking eye movements were incorporated into the trajectory model, while a mixture model accounted for the inherent uncertainty in these estimates. Warping the trajectory model in time using a continuous estimate of the reach speed enabled accurate decoding of faster reaches. We found that the choice of richer trajectory models, such as those incorporating target or speed, improves decoding particularly when there is a small number of EMGs available.
Reinforced poly(vinyl chloride)—the ultimate rigid vinyl

Rigid poly(vinyl chloride) was reinforced with 10 to 40 phr of 1/4-inch glass fiber. This improved flexural modulus up to 140 percent, flexural strength 40 percent, and heat-deflection temperature 8°C; and reduced creep by 90–95 percent, and the coefficient of thermal expansion by 50 percent. Thus a typical Type I rigid vinyl with glass reinforcement had flexural modulus 1,164,000 psi, flexural strength 16,500 psi, notched Izod impact strength 5.1 fpi; creep only 12 percent of normal unreinforced material, coefficient of thermal expansion only 50 percent of normal unreinforced material, and heat-deflection temperature 79°C. Such balance of properties elevates rigid vinyl from a commodity plastic up to an engineering thermoplastic, capable of much wider and more economical utilization in high-performance applications.
Plasma‐Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition of Palladium on a Polymer Substrate

Pd reduction, while at the same time, enough hydrogen atoms are consumed in the plasma to ensure there is no visible degradation of the PPX. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements of the substrate after hydrogen/nitrogen plasma treatment at 50 W clearly show the presence of nitrogen bound to the substrate surface. XPS measurements of the deposited Pd films indicate good quality for both substrates, suggesting that the substrate temperature was low enough to prevent dissociation of the hfac ligand and adequate scavenging of the hfac ligand by the available atomic hydrogen. The remote hydrogen/nitrogen plasma enables Pd film deposition on polymer surfaces, which do not typically react with the Pd precursor, and are not catalysts for the dissociation of molecular hydrogen.
Performance of the Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II RUO Assay

The Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II RUO (research use only) assay was evaluated using the automated Abbott RealTime m2000 system. Concordance was 98% (81/83 samples) with samples previously typed by the Versant HCV Genotype 2.0 RUO system with manual extraction. The total assay time was reduced from 10.5 to 6.0 h and hands-on time from 13 to 4 min/patient sample.
Estimates on the Transition Densities of Girsanov Transforms of Symmetric Stable Processes

In this paper, we first study a purely discontinuous Girsanov transform which is more general than that studied in Chen and Song [(2003), J. Funct. Anal. 201, 262–281]. Then we show that the transition density of any purely discontinuous Girsanov transform of a symmetric stable process is comparable to the transition density of the symmetric stable process. The same is true for the Girsanov transform introduced in Chen and Zhang [(2002), Ann. Inst. Henri poincar´ 38, 475–505]. As an application of these results, we show that the Green function of Feynman–Kac type transforms of symmetric stable processes by continuous additive functionals of zero energy, when exists, is comparable to that of the symmetric stable process.
Photovoltage and Photocatalyzed Growth in Citrate-Stabilized Colloidal Silver Nanocrystals†

The photocatalyzed reduction of aqueous silver ions, by citrate adsorbed on silver nanocrystals, is studied on Formvar/carbon TEM grids and in photoelectrochemical cells. The reaction is characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) monitoring of individual particles throughout the growth process. The photoinitiated growth on the silver particles is uniform and is not dependent upon the laser polarization. The potential of silver particle working electrodes is shown to shift negatively under irradiation in solutions of citrate. Adding silver ions to this system quenches the charging of the particle working electrode through charge transfer to the silver ions. The reaction is hypothesized to result from photoelectron transfer from adsorbed citrate to the silver nanoparticle. Nanocrystal growth occurs when this “stored” charge reduces silver ions in solution. Comments are offered on the photo-reformulation of colloidal nanocrystals into prisms reported in the literature.
Interrater Reliability in Analysis of Laryngoscopic Features for Unilateral Vocal Fold Paresis

Summary Objective The diagnosis of paresis in patients with vocal fold motion impairment remains a challenge. In particular, laryngoscopy examination may result in significant disagreement in diagnosis among providers. We hypothesize that systematically evaluating for a standard set of clinical parameters will increase the diagnostic concordance among providers. Study design Prospective case series conducted at a Tertiary referral Laryngology office. Methods Two laryngologists (rater 1) and two trainees (rater 2) rated laryngoscopy findings in 19 patients suspected of paresis. The diagnosis was confirmed with laryngeal electromyogram. A standard set of 27 ratings was used for each examination that included movement, laryngeal configuration, and stroboscopy signs. A kappa coefficient was calculated for agreement in laryngoscopy findings and effectiveness in predicting the laterality of paresis. Results A substantial agreement (kappa coefficient > 0.61) existed between the raters for vocal fold length, vocal fold thickness, bowing, and reduction in movement. A moderate agreement (kappa coefficient > 0.41) existed between raters for piriform opening and reduced kinesis. The senior author was accurately able to diagnose the side of paresis in 89.5% of cases for a kappa coefficient of 0.78, whereas the trainees correctly predicted the side of paresis in 63.1% for a kappa coefficient of 0.35. The raters agreed on the diagnosis in 73.7% of cases for a kappa coefficient of 0.50. Conclusions Using a standard set of laryngoscopy findings may improve the provider's ability to identify the laterality of vocal fold paresis and increase interrater reliability compared with other series.
Response of brown anoles Anolis sagrei to multimodal signals from a native and novel predator

Multiple studies have focused on the importance of single modalities (visual, auditory, olfactory) in eliciting anti-predator behavior, however multiple channels are often engaged simultaneously. While examining responses to multiple cues can potentially reveal more complex behavioral responses, little is known about how multimodal processing evolves. By con- trasting response to familiar and novel predators, insights can be gained into the evolution of multimodal responses. We studied brown anoles' (Anolis sagrei) response to acoustic and visual predatory cues of a common potential predator, the great-tailed grackle Quiscalus mexicanus and to the American kestrel Falco sparverius, a species found in other populations but not present in our study population. We observed anole behavior before and after a stimulus and quantified rates of looking, display, and loco- motion. Anoles increased their rate of locomotion in response to grackle models, an effect modulated by grackle vocalizations. No such response or modulation was seen when anoles were presented with kestrel stimuli. This suggests that the degree of sophisti- cation of anole response to predators is experience dependent and that relaxed selection can result in reduced anti-predator re- sponse following loss of predators (Current Zoology 58 (6): 791-796, 2012).
The role of acupuncture in managing overactive bladder; a review of the literature

Overactive bladder (OAB) affects a considerable proportion of men and women in the United States and is associated with significant costs and quality of life (QoL) reduction. While medication remains a mainstay of treatment, there is increasing interest in the use of alternative medicine in the form of acupuncture. We reviewed the literature on the role of acupuncture in managing OAB. A narrative review was compiled after searching electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and EMBASE) for clinical studies involving acupuncture in treating OAB. Databases were searched from the time of inception through September 2015 by a clinician for articles reporting the results related to the use of acupuncture in OAB. Key search terms were acupuncture, overactive bladder, bladder instability, urgency, urinary incontinence. Articles in English or translated into English were included. Initial animal studies suggest several biochemical mechanisms of action underlying the effect of acupuncture on OAB suppression. The experience in humans includes two case series and six comparative trials. All studies demonstrated subjective improvement in OAB symptoms, and some reported objective improvement in urodynamic studies. Notably, some comparative trials showed the benefit of acupuncture to be comparable with antimuscarinic treatment. Despite their limitations, existing studies serve as a promising foundation for suggesting a role for acupuncture as an alternative therapy for OAB. Further well-designed studies are required to investigate optimal technique and their outcomes.
Raising the Bar: Ensuring Quality Products and Services for Our Members

In its 70th year, the IEEE Computer Society continues to offer its members innovative, timely, and insightful products and services to foster and sustain professional growth. Through its members' contributions, the Society serves the field in a number of important areas.
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Standard Reference Material 1941, Organics in Marine Sediment

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has developed a new Standard Reference Material 1941, “Organics in Marine Sediment.” In addition to the organic constituents, over 30 elements have been determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis and prompt-gamma activation analysis. The homogeneity of the material was investigated and relative standard deviations of single- element concentrations in 250-mg samples were found to be 1% or less with regard to major inorganic constituents and rare earth elements. A slightly higher relative SD was found for elements that may stem from biological or anthropogenic input. The element concentrations determined in this work are discussed in comparison to concentrations in other similar reference materials. Concentrations for 31 elements will be included for information on the certificate.
Development of the Esophageal Bulb of the Apple Maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae): Morphological, Histological, and Histochemical Study

The esophageal bulb (EB) of Rhagoletis pomonella Walsh was studied at several stages of development. Pupal development of the EB involves changes in the dimensions of epithelial cells and the formation of two types of muscles: permanent circular muscle surrounding the constricted stalk, and a previously undescribed muscle which originates on the ptilinum and inserts on the dorsum of the EB, and which degenerates soon after eclosion. The EB undergoes no significant alteration during adult life, and there is no evidence that it transports or stores nutrients, secretes enzymes, or sequesters wastes. Histochemical evidence suggests that fibrous material which begins to accumulate in the lumen of the EB during pupal development is derived from the cuticular intima. The material may restrict the escape of bacteria from the lumen. The EB may house a feeder culture of bacteria for slow release into the gut.
Reactions of mothers with mentally retarded children: a social perspective.

38 mothers of retarded children and 70 mothers of nonretarded children were asked a series of Likert-type questions designed to tap social behaviors and attitudes. The mothers of retarded children were more likely to express positive attitudes toward the retarded and to expect that the “average” person in the community has a negative opinion of the retarded than were the mothers of the nonretarded children. Mothers of retarded children also manifested different patterns of social behavior regarding employment and utilization of babysitters, in comparison with mothers of nonretarded children.
Comprehending Collegiate Volunteer Experiences Post-September 11, 2001: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States ignited a profound increase in undergraduate-volunteerism on college campuses until 2006. Since then, a national decline in student volunteerism has occurred; simultaneously, scholars have focused on recruitment and utilization of student-volunteers instead of undergraduates’ retention in civil service projects. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to investigate the lived volunteer experiences of alumni and undergraduates of the Scholarship Program for Volunteer Service (SPVS) at a private, Catholic college in western New York State. The alumni group had matriculated in the SPVS from 2001- 2005, at a time when the national average of collegiate-volunteerism was higher than the undergraduates’ group matriculating since 2006. Nine alumni SPVS participants participated in a focus group session. Ten undergraduate SPVS participants were interviewed individually. These data were analyzed by Groenewald’s (2004) five-step approach of phenomenological reduction, which modified Hycner (1999) and Moustakas’s (1994) original structures of phenomenological reduction. Data analysis included (a) bracketing and phenomenological reduction; (b) delineating units of meaning; (c) clustering of meaningful units to form themes; (d) summarizing each interview, validate, and modify; and (e) making a composite summary. The three thematic findings of this study were (a) motivation, (b) religious application, and (c) preservice learning. Conclusively, the two surrounding phenomena working not in isolation were collectivism and individualism. Collectivism was best supported by Strauss and Howe’s (1997) generational theory. Individualism was best supported by Bass’s (2008) economic theories of organization. Future research should focus on how economic factors influence human motivation.
The effect of duration of boar exposure on the frequency of gilts reaching first estrus.

One-hundred crossbred gilts were used in an experiment that was designed to examine the effects of duration of boar exposure on the proportion of gilts reaching first estrus. Two replicates (summer and fall) of 50 gilts each were randomly assigned, within litter, to one of the following treatments: 1) 30 min of daily boar exposure, 2) 15 min of daily boar exposure, 3) 5 min of daily boar exposure, 4) continuous fence-line boar exposure, plus walked to a neutral pen and exposed to a different boar for 10 to 15 min daily, or 5) continuous fence-line boar exposure. Boar exposure lasted for 30 d. The percentage of gilts exhibiting first estrus by 210 d of age ranged from a high of 65.0 for treatment 4 to a low of 10.0 for treatment 5. Treatments 1, 3 and 4 were greater than treatment 5 (P less than .05), but not different from treatment 2. There were no differences in average age at first estrus. Treatment means for days to puberty after boar exposure were not different (P greater than .05). However, a significant treatment X season interaction occurred. This interaction appears to suggest seasonal trends. These results indicate that treatments 1 and 4 (30 min daily and continuous fence-line boar exposure plus 10 to 15 min, respectively) were the most effective methods tested for the induction of first estrus.
Derivation of dendritic cell lines from mouse skin.

Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen presenting cells characterized morphologically by the extension of numerous dendrites, phenotypically by the expression of relatively large amounts of MHC class II molecules and costimulatory molecules, and functionally by their potent capacity to activate immunologically naive T cells. Members of this family reside not only in lymphoid tissues (e.g., spleen, lymph node, and thymus), but also in epithelial tissues at the environmental interface (e.g., skin). Therefore, external antigens that penetrate into bodies can be readily presented by DC to the immune system.
The Western Election Crisis and the National Crisis of Confidence, 1965

Throughout 1965, the Nigerian political system was ravaged by the tensions and strains that had been developing through years of political conflict and decay. In March, a bitter struggle over the Vice-Chancellorship of the University of Lagos reignited the issue of ‘tribalism’, paralysing the University for months. A scandal over a Federal Minister’s private land deal also briefly took command of the headlines, crystallising the escalating disgust with rampant political corruption and waste. In particular, younger intellectual, professional and administrative elites were becoming bolder in their criticism, openly questioning whether Nigeria could afford a competitive party system in which the urgent need for economic development was overwhelmed by struggles for power and wealth within a narrow dominant class.
Skeletal Muscle Oxygenation Measured by EPR Oximetry Using a Highly Sensitive Polymer-Encapsulated Paramagnetic Sensor

We have incorporated LiNc-BuO, an oxygen-sensing paramagnetic material, in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which is an oxygen-permeable, biocompatible, and stable polymer. We fabricated implantable and retrievable oxygen-sensing chips (40 % LiNc-BuO in PDMS) using a 20-G Teflon tubing to mold the chips into variable shapes and sizes for in vivo studies in rats. In vitro EPR measurements were used to test the chip’s oxygen response. Oxygen induced linear and reproducible line broadening with increasing partial pressure (pO2). The oxygen response was similar to that of bare (unencapsulated) crystals and did not change significantly on sterilization by autoclaving. The chips were implanted in rat femoris muscle and EPR oximetry was performed repeatedly (weekly) for 12 weeks post-implantation. The measurements showed good reliability and reproducibility over the period of testing. These results demonstrated that the new formulation of OxyChip with 40 % LiNc-BuO will enable the applicability of EPR oximetry for long-term measurement of oxygen concentration in tissues and has the potential for clinical applications.
Radioembolization with 90 Y glass microspheres for the treatment of unresectable metastatic liver disease from chemotherapy-refractory gastrointestinal cancers: final report of a prospective pilot study

Background: This prospective pilot single-institution study was undertaken to document the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of radioembolization of liver-dominant metastatic gastrointestinal cancer using 90 Y glass microspheres. Methods: Between June 2010 and October 2013, 42 adult patients (26 men, 16 women; median age 60 years) with metastatic chemotherapy-refractory unresectable colorectal (n=21), neuroendocrine (n=11), intrahepatic bile duct (n=7), pancreas (n=2), and esophageal (n=1) carcinomas underwent 60 lobar or segmental administrations of 90 Y glass microspheres. Data regarding clinical and laboratory adverse events (AE) were collected prospectively for up to 5.5 years after radioembolization. Radiographic responses were evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), version 1.1. Time to maximum response, response duration, progression-free survival (PFS) (hepatic and extrahepatic), and overall survival (OS) were measured. Results: Median target dose and activity were 109.4 Gy and 2.6 GBq per treatment session, respectively. Majority of clinical AE were grade 1 or 2 in severity. Patients with colorectal cancer had hepatic objective response rate (ORR) of 25% and a hepatic disease control rate (DCR) of 80%. Median PFS and OS were 1.0 and 4.4 months, respectively. Patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET) had hepatic ORR and DCR of 73% and 100%, respectively. Median PFS was 8.9 months for this cohort. DCR and median PFS and OS for patients with cholangiocarcinoma were 86%, 1.1 months, and 6.7 months, respectively. Conclusions: 90 Y glass microspheres device has a favorable safety profile, and achieved prolonged disease control of hepatic tumor burden in a subset of patients, including all patients enrolled in the neuroendocrine cohort.
EFFECT OF PROCESSING METHODS AND TIME ON THE VITAMIN C CONTENTS OF SOME LEAFY VEGETABLES SOLD IN LOKOJA, NIGERIA

A simple iodometric method of titration was used to determine the effect of storage, processing type and time on the vitamin C content of the leaves and stalk of Spinacea oleracea (alefo), Vernonia amygdalina (bitterleaf), Telfaria occidentalis( ugu), and Corchorus olitorius (ewedu). Processing methods like blanching, sundrying, and fridge storage were applied to each vegetable. Fresh leaves and stalk under no processing condition showed a vitamin C content of 140.5mg/100g and 61.0mg/100g for V. Amygdalina, while those of C.olitorius gave 28.2mg/100g and 4.4mg/100g respectively. Blanching at 20°C for 2 minutes yielded a higher amount of Vitamin C when compared to blanching at 100°C and 60°C. The highest loss of 95% was recorded for sundried leaves and stalk of all vegetables analysed. Fridge storage returned a higher amount of vitamin C for S.oleracea at day 1 and the lowest value for C.olitorius for the same day. The implication is that blanching and sundrying were observed not to be suitable as processing methods for vegetables especially in the tropics. Cold storage on the other hand remains a viable option.
Contemporary Evaluation and Treatment of Poststroke Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction

Stroke is an extremely common clinical entity, and poststroke incontinence is a major cause of morbidity for stroke survivors. Although patients can experience a wide variety of lower urinary tract symptoms, detrusor overactivity is among the most common clinical findings following stroke. All forms of lower urinary tract symptoms can negatively impact physical and psychosocial function for affected patients and their caregivers and loved ones. Careful evaluation is critical for successful management. Treatment is tailored to the goals and needs of each individual patient. Improvements in continence status can help to enhance overall and health-related quality of life.
Prediction of nearest neighbor effects on backbone torsion angles and NMR scalar coupling constants in disordered proteins

Using fine-tuned hydrogen bonding criteria, a library of coiled peptide fragments has been generated from a large set of high-resolution protein X-ray structures. This library is shown to be an improved representation of ϕ/ψ torsion angles seen in intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). The ϕ/ψ torsion angle distribution of the library, on average, provides good agreement with experimentally observed chemical shifts and 3 JHN-Hα coupling constants for a set of five disordered proteins. Inspection of the coil library confirms that nearest-neighbor effects significantly impact the ϕ/ψ distribution of residues in the coil state. Importantly, 3 JHN-Hα coupling constants derived from the nearest-neighbor modulated backbone ϕ distribution in the coil library show improved agreement to experimental values, thereby providing a better way to predict 3 JHN-Hα coupling constants for IDPs, and for identifying locations that deviate from fully random behavior.
J. Hicks's 'Famous' IS-LM Figures 1 and 2 on Page 153 of His 1937 Econometrica Paper are Based Directly on Page 207 of the General Theory

Hicks’s 1937 interpretation of Keynes’s 1936 General Theory IS-LP(LM) model, which was analyzed in (r,Y) space by Keynes, in which Hicks used his IS-LL model in (Y,r) space, where we use Keynes’s Y for income and not Hicks’s I for income, supposedly generated much more interest and following because of the existence of two figures, Figure 1 and Figure 2, on p. 153 of his article. However, Hicks’s analysis on pp.153-154 of his 1937 paper is practically identical to that of Keynes’s on pp.200-202, 207 and p.298 of the General Theory. Keynes provides a specific, written description of the LP curve, Hicks’s LL curve, which is identical to Hicks’s graphical presentation. Hicks’s description of his figure’s appearance is done without citing Keynes’s technical description on page 207 of the General Theory. Hicks only cites pp.200-201 of the General Theory. Hicks’s analysis on pp.153-154 of his 1937 article does not improve in any technical way over Keynes’s analysis unless one claims that graphical displays are superior to mathematical description.
Global water infrastructure: state of the art review

Water infrastructure is multifaceted and essential to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Major categories include dams and hydropower, water supply and sanitation, and irrigation, wh...
Calcium stores in vertebrate photoreceptors.

This review lays out the emerging evidence for the fundamental role of Ca2+ stores and store-operated channels in the Ca2+ homeostasis of rods and cones. Calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) is a major contributor to steady-state and light-evoked photoreceptor Ca2+ homeostasis in the darkness whereas store-operated Ca2+ channels play a more significant role under sustained illumination conditions. The homeostatic response includes dynamic interactions between the plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria and/or outer segment disk organelles which dynamically sequester, accumulate and release Ca2+. Coordinated activation of SERCA transporters, ryanodine receptors (RyR), inositol triphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) and TRPC channels amplifies cytosolic voltage-operated signals but also provides a memory trace of previous exposures to light. Store-operated channels, activated by the STIM1 sensor, prevent pathological decrease in [Ca2+]i mediated by excessive activation of PMCA transporters in saturating light. CICR and SOCE may also modulate the transmission of afferent and efferent signals in the outer retina. Thus, Ca2+ stores provide additional complexity, adaptability, tuneability and speed to photoreceptor signaling.
EFFICACY AND MORTALITY USING ROTATING CUTTING SHEATHS VERSUS LASER SHEATHS FOR TRANSVENOUS LEAD EXTRACTION: A META-ANALYSIS

Rotating cutting and laser sheaths are both routinely used in transvenous lead extraction (TLE) which can cause catastrophic complications including death. Because of their uncertainty in efficacy and risk, we performed a meta-analysis aimed at comparing success and mortality rates associated with
ENERGY CONSERVATION IN DOMESTIC WATER HEATING

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to estimate how much energy can be saved by using various conservation methods in domestic hot water heating. First, the topics of how and how much energy is expended in “tank” or “stand-by” losses will be examined. Then, the savings resulting from various energy-saving methods will be addressed.