cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular scale modeling approach to evaluate stability and dissociation of methane and carbon dioxide hydrates

Abstract A comprehensive knowledge and precise estimation of the dynamic, structural, and thermodynamic characteristics of hydrates are needed to assess the stability of gas hydrates. Thermodynamic model and experimental studies can be utilized to compute the physical and dynamic properties of hydrate structures. The use of molecular dynamic (MD) simulation is a well-established approach in gas hydrate studies at the atomic level where the properties of interest are obtained from the numerical solution of Newtonian equations. The present work uses MD simulations by employing the constant temperature-constant pressure (NPT), constant temperature-constant volume (NVT) conditions, and the consistent valence force field (CVFF) to monitor the stability and decomposition of methane and carbon dioxide gas hydrates with different compositions. The effects of temperature and composition on the hydrate stability are investigated. In this study, we also compute the radial distribution function, mean square displacement, diffusion coefficient, lattice parameter, potential energy, dissociation enthalpy as well as the density of methane and carbon dioxide under various thermodynamic and process conditions. The formation of methane and carbon dioxide bubbles is studied to investigate bubble evolution during hydrate dissociation. The sizes of methane and carbon dioxide bubbles are not the same due to different solubility conditions of methane and carbon dioxide in liquid water. In addition, the influences of pressure and temperature on the lattice parameter and density of clathrate hydrates are discussed. The obtained results are consistent with previous theoretical and experimental findings, implying that the methodology followed in this work is reliable. The most stable arrangement of methane and carbon dioxide molecules in the gas hydrate is found. The insights/findings of this study might be useful to further understand detailed transport phenomena (e.g., molecular interactions, gas production rate, carbon dioxide replacement, and carbon dioxide capture) involved in the process of carbon dioxide injection into gas hydrate reservoirs.
Achieving high strength and ductility in traditionally brittle soft magnetic intermetallics via additive manufacturing

Abstract Intermetallic alloys possess exceptional soft magnetic properties, including high permeability, low coercivity, and high saturation induction, but exhibit poor mechanical properties that make them impractical to bulk process and use at ideal compositions. We used laser-based Additive Manufacturing to process traditionally brittle Fe–Co and Fe–Si alloys in bulk form without macroscopic defects and at near-ideal compositions for electromagnetic applications. The binary Fe–50Co, as a model material, demonstrated simultaneous high strength (600–700 MPa) and high ductility (35%) in tension, corresponding to a ∼300% increase in strength and an order-of-magnitude improvement in ductility relative to conventionally processed material. Atomic-scale toughening and strengthening mechanisms, based on engineered multiscale microstructures, are proposed to explain the unusual combination of mechanical properties. This work presents an instance in which metal Additive Manufacturing processes are enabling, rather than limiting, the development of higher-performance alloys.
Perioperative Considerations When Treating Isolated Periprosthetic Distal Femur Fractures.

BACKGROUND Periprosthetic distal femur (PPDF) fractures occur most frequently via low energy mechanisms in elderly patients. This population is often frail and ill-suited to the physiologic burden of trauma and surgery. Here, we describe the perioperative and early hospital course for patients with PPDF fractures, and identify risk factors for poor outcomes. METHODS Consecutive patients with isolated PPDF fractures from 2005 - 2015 were treated operatively at a Level I trauma center. Perioperative records were reviewed. Complications included wound complications, cardiac complications, pneumonia, thromboembolic events, urinary tract infections (UTIs), sepsis, multiple organ failure, death, and 90-day readmissions. RESULTS Thirty-nine patients were treated operatively for isolated PPDF fractures. Mean age was 75.1 years old, 87.2% were women, and 92.3% occurred after falls from standing. Average American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 3.0. Thirty-six patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a mean operative time of 108 minutes. Excluding outliers, mean LOS was 4.6 days. Patients admitted to the ICU had longer LOS (p=0.03). Complications occurred in 17.9% of patients, including cardiac events (12.8%) and (5.1%) deaths. CONCLUSIONS Patients with PPDF fractures frequently have underlying medical comorbidities. A complicated and/or protracted hospital course is not uncommon. Further study to optimize treatment appears warranted. Level of evidence: Prognostic, level 4.
Cultivating Research Grade Cannabis for the Development of Phytopharmaceuticals

Cannabis has been used as medicine since ancient times in different forms. With over 500 known constituents, of which cannabinoids are the most important class (120 known). Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are the two major natural cannabinoids having very different pharmacological profiles with tremendous therapeutic potential. After the discovery of Δ9-THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, research had been revolving around Δ9-THC and its derivatives. Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound which was discovered before Δ9-THC did not receive much attention for a long time. However, in last few years, research has intensified on CBD or CBD rich cannabis varieties due to its therapeutic potential in the treatment of a variety of ailments including childhood epilepsy (Dravet syndrome) and other disorders. In this chapter, we address cannabis botany, chemistry, its indoor and outdoor cultivation, harvesting, processing and its current status as a botanical drug.
New Toxicology Tools and the Emerging Paradigm Shift in Environmental Health Decision-Making.

Background: Numerous types of rapid toxicity or exposure assays and platforms are providing information relevant to human hazard and exposure identification. They offer the promise of aiding decisi...
Dubin-Johnson Syndrome Presenting During Cardiac Transplantation Evaluation

Dubin-Johnson syndrome is a rare, benign disorder that results in conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The disease manifests as intermittent jaundice without long-term hepatic or other clinical complications. This article reports a case of Dubin-Johnson syndrome, which was identified during cardiac transplant evaluation for cardiomyopathy secondary to a polyglycogen storage disease. The patient successfully underwent an orthotopic heart transplant. Postoperatively, her conjugated hyperbilirubinemia increased as compared to her baseline but resolved after several weeks. This report briefly reviews the hepatic manifestations in patients with Dubin-Johnson syndrome undergoing major surgery and highlights urinary coproporphyrin as a useful diagnostic test for Dubin-Johnson syndrome.
OAB and IC/BPS: Two Conditions or a Continuum of One?

Overactive bladder (OAB) and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) are defined as syndromes consisting of “urinary urgency, usually accompanied by frequency and nocturia, with or without urgency urinary incontinence” and “an unpleasant sensation perceived to be related to the urinary bladder, associated with lower urinary tract symptoms,” respectively. Distinguishing between the two diagnoses can be challenging and although OAB and IC/BPS are traditionally considered separate conditions, more evidence is emerging to suggest a continuum between the symptoms. This review considers the two conditions existing on a continuum by reviewing relevant definitions, phenotypes, and treatment considerations. Recent studies have suggested that up to 25% of patients with IC/BPS reported urge incontinence and 35% of patients with OAB described bladder pain. Analysis assessing validated questionnaires revealed that scores could distinguish controls from patients with storage LUTS but were not able to distinguish between those with OAB and IC/BPS. A novel scoring system spanning domain of urgency incontinence and bladder pain was validated and provided 91% diagnostic accuracy. OAB and IC/BPS symptoms overlap significantly and it remains unclear if patients with IC/BPS and OAB are unique populations or specific phenotypes of the same condition. We propose that “OAB-dry” patients without fear of leakage may represent a variant of IC/BPS. Unbiased phenotyping based on more accurate symptomatic descriptions may help reveal the correlations of variants of lower urinary tract symptoms with both prognosis and treatment responses.
Flexible Top-Gated Monolayer MoS 2 Transistors with High Mobility

Flexible electronics could greatly benefit from the realization of large-scale field-effect transistors (FETs) based on two-dimensional (2D) materials that exhibit high carrier mobility, flexibility, and transparency [1]. As high-quality 2D materials are synthesized at high temperatures $> 500\ {}^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$ , they must rely on scalable processes for transfer to flexible substrates after growth. However, such transfer processes typically transfer the 2D material using scaffolds of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and immersion in corrosive solutions, which can damage the 2D film and leave unwanted residues [2].
Co-occurring mental illness, drug use, and medical multimorbidity among lesbian, gay, and bisexual middle-aged and older adults in the United States: a nationally representative study

Older lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults are an underserved and understudied population that experience specific health disparities. The intersection of aging and chronic medical disease with a higher risk for substance use and mental illness may place older LGB adults at risk for co-occurring conditions and resulting comorbidity. Understanding multimorbidity among older LGB adults may help inform interventions to reduce disparities in health outcomes. Data come from the 2015 to 2017 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (n = 25,880). We first determined whether sexual orientation was associated with reporting: past-year drug use, mental illness, and/or 2 or more chronic medical diseases. We then determined whether sexual orientation was associated with reporting co-occurrence of these conditions. This was done using multivariable logistic regression. Analyses were stratified by gender. Compared to heterosexual men, gay men were at increased odds for reporting 2 or more chronic medical diseases (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.48, 3.21), and gay (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.93) and bisexual men (aOR = 3.53, 95% CI = 2.03, 6.14) were at increased odds for reporting mental illness. Gay men (aOR = 2.95, 95CI = 1.60, 5.49) and bisexual men (aOR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.58, 5.08) were at increased odds of reporting co-occurring conditions. Compared to heterosexual women, bisexual women were at increased odds for past-year drug use (aOR = 4.20, 95% CI = 2.55, 6.93), reporting mental illness (aOR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.03, 3.67), and reporting co-occurring conditions (aOR = 3.25, 95% = 1.60, 6.62). Middle-aged and older LGB adults in the United States are at high risk for experiencing co-occurring drug use, mental illness, and/or medical multimorbidity. Interventions for older sexual minority populations are needed to reduce disparities.
Commemorating, Celebrating, and Rededicating to the Fight for Environmental Justice: National Environmental Justice Game Changers.

On 13 February 2020, the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability held the Michigan Environmental Justice Summit 2020: Commemorating the Thirtieth Anniversary of Michigan’s ...
Effect of the conditional scalar dissipation rate in the conditional moment closure

In the context of modeling turbulent scalar mixing using probability density function (PDF) methods, the treatment of molecular mixing is of paramount importance. The conditional moment closure (CMC) offers a high-fidelity description for molecular mixing in nonpremixed flows. Recent work has demonstrated that first-order CMC can be implemented numerically using the moments of the conditioning variable and first-order joint moments of the scalar of interest. When solving the CMC using, for example, quadrature-based moment methods (QBMM), a functional form must be chosen for the conditional scalar dissipation rate (CSDR) of the conditioning variable. In prior work, the CSDR was chosen to produce a β-PDF for the conditioning variable (mixture fraction) at steady state. This choice has the advantage that the system of moment equations used in QBMM-CMC can be written in closed form. In this work, an alternative choice for the CSDR is investigated, namely, the amplitude mapping closure (AMC). With the AMC, the moment equations can be closed using the quadrature method of moments incorporated into a realizable ordinary differential equation solver. Results are compared with the β-CSDR closure for binary, passive scalar mixing in homogeneous single- and disperse-phase turbulent flows. It is also demonstrated that the moment formulation of CMC provides a straightforward method for modeling the effect of differential diffusion in the context of CMC.
Hopelessness Among Middle-Aged and Older Blacks: The Negative Impact of Discrimination and Protecting Power of Social and Religious Resources.

Background and Objectives Hopelessness-a state of despair characterized by a negative outlook towards the future and a belief in insurmountable challenges-is a risk factor for major depression, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality among older adults. It is also an understudied consequence of discrimination. Older blacks disproportionately report experiencing discrimination and, as a result, may be at greater risk of feeling hopeless. However, social and religious resources may protect against the adverse effects of discrimination. The current study examines whether social support, social engagement, religious attendance, and religiosity buffer the effects of self-reported everyday discrimination on hopelessness among a nationally representative sample of blacks. Research Design and Methods Using data from the 2010/2012 psychosocial assessment of the Health and Retirement Study, we regressed hopelessness on everyday discrimination, stratifying by 2 age groups, ages 51-64, representing middle-age (n = 1,302), and age 65 and older, representing old age (n = 887). Interaction terms tested whether each resource moderated the discrimination-hopelessness relationship controlling for depressive symptoms, socioeconomic status, and demographic characteristics. Results Greater reports of everyday discrimination were associated with higher levels of hopelessness for middle-aged and older blacks. For middle-aged blacks, the resources did not moderate the discrimination-hopelessness relationship; rather, higher levels of support (b = -0.294, p < .01), religiosity (b = -0.297, p < .001), religious attendance (b = -0.218, p < .05) were independently and inversely associated with hopelessness. For older blacks, higher levels of religiosity moderated the discrimination-hopelessness relationship (b = -0.208, p < .05) and higher levels of support (b = -0.304, p < .05) and social engagement (b = -0.236, p < .05) were independently and inversely associated with hopelessness. Discussion and Implications Findings suggest that self-reported everyday discrimination increases hopelessness among middle-aged and older blacks but social and religious resources may counterbalance its effects, in age-specific ways, to protect against hopelessness. Religiosity may be especially important for older blacks as a buffer against the negative consequences of discrimination on hopelessness.
Keeping the marines in the field: Results of a field experiment

Abstract A package of tools for military managers to implement a program for effective human service activities in the unit was developed and evaluated as a pretest-posttest quasi-experiment with a matched control group. The package was comprised of a set of activities modeled after well-known principles of effective leadership behavior. Several effects of the program on commanders, unit members, and unit absenteeism rates were found, including a 50% reduction in absenteeism. Relevance of the findings to military human service programs, evaluation research, and absenteeism research are discussed.
BENCHMARK EVALUATION OF REACTIVITY EFFECTS AND REACTIVITY COEFFICIENTS IN THE MOLTEN SALT REACTOR EXPERIMENT

A set of benchmarks based on the experimental data from the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) is being compiled as part of International Reactor Physics Experiments Evaluation Reactor Physics Experiments Evaluation Project (IRPhEP). The initial benchmark that will be available in the 2019 edition of the IRPhEP handbook covers the first zero-power criticality experiment. Follow up benchmarks are under development based on the series of control rod calibration experiments performed at the MSRE, which consisted in progressive addition of a small amount (85g) of 235 U in the salt followed by the insertion of the control rods acts to compensate for the excess reactivity insertion. Multiple reactivity effects and coefficients measurements are included in the benchmark: differential worth of a control rod, reactivity equivalent of 235 U addition, control rod bank worth, reactivity effect of fuel circulation, isothermal temperature coefficient and fuel temperature coefficient. An uncertainty of 2% is attributed to the reported reactivity measurements from experimenters and it was believed that the uncertainty of reactor period measurement contributed the most of the experimental uncertainty. An additional 2% uncertainty was added to all reactivity measurements to represent the uncertainty for the correction factor applied to pull all the measurements on the same uranium concentration and this uncertainty was reasonably inferred by evaluating this factor on the MSRE benchmark model. The calculated reactivity equivalent of 235 U additions (0.2228±0.0014, represented as the change of reactivity over the relative change of 235 U mass in loop) matches well with the experiment value (0.223±0.006). Most of other calculations, including the control rod bank worth, reactivity effects of fuel circulation and isothermal and fuel temperature coefficients fall within one standard deviation from the experimental values as well.
Decreasing Complete Blood Count Clotting Rates: An Improvement Project in an Academic Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND In premature and critically ill infants, a complete blood count (CBC) is commonly collected via the heel-stick method, which is preferred because of the ongoing requirements to preserve intravenous sites. However, because of sample clotting, these specimens are often rejected, leading to unnecessary repeat heel sticks, painful stimuli, and increased costs. PURPOSE The purpose of this quality improvement project was to decrease the rate of clotted CBC samples obtained from neonates admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS The RE-AIM translation model, which stands for Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance, was adopted to decrease the rate of clotted CBC samples through staff education, randomized audits of the staff's heel-stick technique, and the development and implementation of a standardized capillary blood sampling protocol. The primary outcome measure was the rate of clotted CBC samples, which was defined as the proportion of clotted CBC samples. RESULTS CBC clotted sample rates decreased by 27%, resulting in a cost saving of $1136, and overall CBC rejection rates decreased by 23%. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE All hospital units should provide staff with an evidence-based resource, recurrent education, and evaluation of skills to avoid unnecessary repeat heel sticks and prevent increased pain sensitivity, social hypervigilance, and avoidance behavior in early infancy. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH Future efforts should focus on the long-term benefits of routine education and its effects on clotted sample rates and whether samples drawn by laboratory phlebotomy staff versus registered nurses/patient care technicians result in disproportionate rejection rates.
Stem Cells Loaded With Multimechanistic Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus Variants for Brain Tumor Therapy

BACKGROUND The current treatment regimen for malignant glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is tumor resection followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Despite the proven safety of oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) in clinical trials for GBMs, its efficacy is suboptimal mainly because of insufficient viral spread after tumor resection. METHODS Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were loaded with oHSV (MSC-oHSV), and their fate was explored by real-time imaging in vitro and in vivo. Using novel diagnostic and armed oHSV mutants and real-time multimodality imaging, the efficacy of MSC-oHSV and its proapoptotic variant, oHSV-TRAIL encapsulated in biocompatible synthetic extracellular matrix (sECM), was tested in different mouse GBM models, which more accurately reflect the current clinical settings of malignant, resistant, and resected tumors. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS MSC-oHSVs effectively produce oHSV progeny, which results in killing of GBMs in vitro and in vivo mediated by a dynamic process of oHSV infection and tumor destruction. sECM-encapsulated MSC-oHSVs result in statistically significant increased anti-GBM efficacy compared with direct injection of purified oHSV in a preclinical model of GBM resection, resulting in prolonged median survival in mice (P < .001 with Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxin test). To supersede resistant tumors, MSC loaded with oHSV-TRAIL effectively induce apoptosis-mediated killing and prolonged median survival in mice bearing oHSV- and TRAIL-resistant GBM in vitro (P < .001 with χ(2) contingency test). CONCLUSIONS Human MSC loaded with different oHSV variants provide a platform to translate oncolytic virus therapies to clinics in a broad spectrum of GBMs after resection and could also have direct implications in different cancer types.
Investigating the influence of institutional perviousness on the adoption of body-worn cameras by United States police agencies

AbstractThere is evidence that body-worn cameras decrease rates of police use of force and improve citizens’ perceptions of police legitimacy. Yet, research examining the processes leading agencies...
Integrated Group Technology, Cell Formation, Process Planning, and Production Planning with Application to the Emergency Room

In this paper an integrated approach for the formation of parts and machine families in group technology is developed. The integrated approach is used to solve cell formation, process planning, and production planning simultaneously. The given information is part processing sequence, part production volume, part alternative processing plans, and part processing times. The approach is used to determine the machine-part cells and part processing plans, while the total intercell part flow is minimized. Also, the convergence of the algorithm is investigated. The approach goes across and beyond the group technology methods by considering sequencing, production planning, process planning, and part-machine cellular information simultaneously. Two methods are investigated: exact (optimal) and heuristic. The approach first solves an integer programming problem to find processing plans and then uses a procedure to form the machine-part cells. The proposed approach solves the problem iteratively until a set of plans for machine-part cell formations is obtained with minimal intercell part flow or interflow cost. An example is presented to explain the developed approach. Experimental results are also provided. An extension of the approach for solving the operations planning of an emergency room is also covered. In this extension of the approach, the application of cell formation provides a solution to efficiently managing patients and utilizing resources. By grouping patients by their needed medical procedures, time and resource efficiency is accomplished. An application to ER of University Hospitals of Case Western Reserve University is given.
The communal consumption experience: sharing, rituals, & socialization

‘Very socially embedded practices and feelings can be the most powerful of all.’ ∼Muniz & O’Guinn, 2001, p. 428The communal consumption experience is not a new phenomenon. In fact, from an anthropo...
Design of automatic machinery

Introduction. Steps to Automation. Justifying Automation. The Automation Design Process. Workstations. Feeders and Conveyors. Actuators. Sensors. Control. Bringing New Automation to Market. System Specifications. Packaging Machines.
The Archaeological Identification of Local Polulations: A Case Study from the Northwestern Plains

AbstractLightning Spring and Red Fox are large, multicomponent occupation sites in the Grand River drainage of North and South Dakota. Both include contemporaneous McKean phase components that yiel...
Protein-derived acetaminophen-cysteine detection from chronic APAP is not dose-dependent.

Dear Editor, In their 2015 JMT article, O’Malley and colleagues discussed measuring acetaminophen-cysteine (APAPCYS) adducts in patients who self-reported ingestions of supratherapeutic concentrations of acetaminophen for greater than 2 weeks. [1] As APAP-CYS adducts are formed when the toxic metabolite NAPQI binds to cysteine, it is possible that high APAP-CYS adduct concentrations could provide early evidence of APAP-induced liver injury. While our group enjoyed reading the article, certain points were discussed that we wanted to clarify with the authors. Our main concern is that the data provided does not support the authors’ primary conclusion that there is an APAP dose-dependent generation of APAP-CYS adducts. When the patient-reported doses of APAP and APAP-CYS adducts are mapped on a scatter plot, the graph actually produces a negative correlation (see Fig. 1). Moreover, regardless of using the Pearson Product Moment or Spearman analysis, the correlation coefficients remain negative, indicating an inverse relationship of APAP dose with APAP-CYS adduct concentration. The correlation coefficients are not statistically significant but do not suggest a direct dose-dependent relationship. One possible explanation for this counterintuitive finding is a degradation of the sample as described in a prior study [2], although the authors do mention this possibility in their limitations. One further concern is that it is known that patients have a limited ability to recognize which medications contain acetaminophen [3]. Although the authors attempted to correct this with pictures of common products, self-report and recall bias also come into consideration when collecting retrospective data. It may have been advisable to collect daily questionnaires or medication diaries from participants, rather than just self-reporting in order to improve concordance with actual product, timing, and dosages of the medication [4]. We agree with the authors that more study is needed to understand the clinical significance of APAP-CYS adduct concentrations as they relate to toxicity and prognosis. With that knowledge, it may indeed be possible to harness measurement of these concentrations in a way that can be beneficial to patients. Unfortunately, at this time and with the data provided, we cannot say that APAP-CYS adducts are related to the APAP dose in a repeat supratherapeutic ingestion.
Molecular cloning sequence and distribution of rat calspermin, a high affinity calmodulin-binding protein.

Calspermin is a heat-stable, acidic calmodulin-binding protein predominantly found in mammalian testis. The cDNA representing the rat form of this protein has been cloned from a rat testis λgt11 library. Sequence analysis of two overlapping clones revealed a 232-nucleotide 5′-nontranslated region, 510 nucleotides of open reading frame, a 148-nucleotide 3′-untranslated region, and a poly(A) tail. Authenticity of the clones was confirmed by comparison of a portion of the deduced amino acid sequence with the sequence of a tryptic peptide obtained from the rat testis protein. The λgt11 fusion protein was recognized by affinity purified antibodies to pig testis calspermin and bound 125I-calmodulin in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Calspermin cDNA encodes a 169-residue protein with a calculated Mr of 18,735. The putative calmodulin-binding domain is very close to the amino terminus of the protein. This region shows 46% identity with the calmodulin-binding region of rat brain Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and 32% identity with the equivalent region of chicken smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase. The 5′-nontranslated region reveals significant homology with a portion of the catalytic region of the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase family. Calspermin contains a stretch of 17 contiguous glutamic acid residues in the central region of the molecule. Computer analysis predicts calspermin to be 81% α-helix and 14% random coil. Analysis of genomic DNA indicates calspermin to be the product of a unique gene. Northern blot analysis of rat testis RNA reveals a 1.1-kilobase mRNA. This RNA is restricted to testis among several rat tissues examined and could not be identified in total RNA isolated from testes of other mammals. Analysis of cells isolated from rat testis reveals calspermin mRNA to be predominantly expressed in postmeiotic cells indicating that it may be specific to haploid cells.
Preparing for a methadone accreditation survey. Part II: Workplan, documentation, and readiness checklists

Abstract Preparing for a methadone program accreditation can be an arduous task. In this article three technical assistance documents are presented to assist program administrators to prepare for a methadone program accreditation survey. The technical assistance documents include a six month accreditation work plan, an accreditation documentation checklist, and a self-assessment checklist. These tools are time and trial tested and should prove useful to program administrators and those directly involved with preparing for an accreditation survey. Each of these documents are preceded by instructions regarding their use. All of these documents can be adjusted to accommodate the needs of a particular program.
High-Resolution Autoradiography of H3-Estradiol with Unfixed, Unembedded 1.0µ Freeze-Dried Frozen Sections

The autoradiographic localization of labeled compounds imposes severe limitations on the selection of procedures to which the tissue is subjected in the process. Unfortunately, this fact has not been fully recognized, and numerous studies of questionable value have been carried out with unsuitable methods. Since precise localization is the purpose of high resolution autoradiography, all steps in the procedure which are likely to cause translocation of the label must be rigidly controlled or excluded. The successful autoradiographic localization of H3-thymidine, which is incorporated into nuclear DNA, has led many people to regard a procedure which is valid in the autoradiography of incorporated thymidine as equally valid in the study of diffusible compounds.
Eosinophils enhance immune pathology and are increased with cell-wall chitin exposure in Aspergillus fumigatus infection. (MPF3P.802)

In humans and experimental animals infected with the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, Th1 responses are considered protective, while Th2 responses are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. How host-pathogen interactions influence the development of these protective or detrimental immune responses is not well understood. We compared lung immune responses to conidia from two fungal isolates that expressed different levels of the fungal cell wall component chitin. We observed that repeated aspirations of the high-chitin expressing isolate, Af5517, induced increased airway eosinophil and Th2 cell recruitment in the lungs of recipient mice when compared to the isolate Af293. In addition, lung transcription of Th2 cytokines/chemokines was increased while IFN-γ was decreased in response to Af5517. Eosinophil recruitment in response to conidia aspiration was correlated with the level of chitin exposure during germination, and was decreased by constitutive lung chitinase expression. Furthermore, eosinophil-deficient mice subjected to multiple aspirations of Af5517 prior to neutrophil depletion and infection exhibited decreased morbidity, mortality, and lung fungal burden when compared to wild-type mice. These results suggest that chitin exposure in germinating conidia promotes Th2-skewed airway immune responses and that recruited eosinophils may be considered as a therapeutic target in patients that respond poorly to A. fumigatus infection .
Market Prices for Water in the Semiarid West of the United States

[1] Market prices contain information about supply and demand, the institutions that influence both these elements, and the operation of the market. Prices also allocate scarce resources to higher-valued uses. In this paper we analyze the price history of three water markets in the arid Southwest: Arizona's Central Arizona Project, Colorado's Colorado Big Thompson Project, and New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. Using water transfers over 11 years, we estimate a simultaneous system of market equations, one for price and the other for quantity demanded. Comparison of the institutional characteristics of each market reveals that Colorado's market is well developed, with many trades and rising prices that respond to market conditions, and New Mexico's market is developing well, with lower prices, but showing some response to supply and demand factors. Arizona's market is the least developed, with few trades and very low prices. Our empirical findings support our claim that markets are becoming more efficient in these regions despite the considerable institutional and historical impediments to the evolution of water markets.
Analysis of purified glabra3-shapeshifter trichomes reveals a role for NOECK in regulating early trichome morphogenic events.

Summary Transcriptome analysis using the Affymetrix ATH1 platform has been completed on purified trichomes from the gl3-sst mutant. These trichomes display immature features, such as glassy cell walls and blunted branches. The gl3-sst trichome transcriptome was greatly enriched for genes involved in lipid biosynthesis, including those mediating the synthesis of fatty acids and wax. In addition, gl3-sst trichomes displayed reduced expression of the R3 MYBs TRY and CPC, which normally function to limit trichome development. The expression of the MIXTA-like MYB gene NOK was elevated. Members of the MIXTA-like family promote conical cell outgrowth, and in some cases, trichome initiation in diverse plant species. In contrast, NOK limits trichome outgrowth in wild-type Arabidopsis plants. Similar to other MIXTA-like genes, NOK was required for the expansion of gl3-sst trichomes, as the gl3-sst nok double mutant trichomes were greatly reduced in size. Expression of NOK in nok mutants reduced branch formation, whereas in gl3-sst nok, NOK expression promoted trichome cell outgrowth, illustrating duel roles for NOK in both promoting and limiting trichome development. MIXTA-like genes from phylogenetically diverse plant species could substitute for NOK in both nok and gl3-sst nok backgrounds. These findings suggest that certain aspects of NOK and MIXTA-like gene function have been conserved.
The adhesion to hydrophilic surfaces of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) containing novolac ‐ hexamethylenetetramine

The addition of relatively small amounts of novolachexamethylenetetramine phenolic to poly(vinyl chloride) plastisols has been used to increase the adhesion of the fused plastisol to hydrophilic surfaces like those of glass and steel. The principal mechanism by which this occurs has been studied and found to be, first, the dissolution of the novolachexamethylenetetramine complex in the plasticizer; second, the interaction of the nearby phenolic groups with the hydrophilic surface; and, third, the chain extension and crosslinking of the phenolic to form perhaps a very open cell foam structure through the plasticized vinyl that is attached to the substrate. Additional adhesion may arise from the adsorption of particles of the undissolved novolac complex on the surface and from viscoelastic effects from the cured vinyl composition. The problem with the decreased adhesion of thin plastisol coatings was also studied. It was found to be unrelated to the thickness per se. Rather, it seems to arise from the loss of hexamethylenetetramine at the air interface. Though hexamethylenetetramine is lost also from thicker coatings, the concentration near the adherend interface is less affected.
Uteroglobin Suppresses SCCA Gene Expression Associated with Allergic Asthma

Uteroglobin (UG), the founding member of the Secretoglobin superfamily, is a potent anti-inflammatory protein constitutively expressed at a high level in the airway epithelia of all mammals. We previously reported that the lungs of UG-knock-out (UG-KO) mice express elevated levels of Th2 cytokines (e.g. interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13), which are augmented by allergen sensitization and challenge leading to exaggerated airway inflammation. Notably, these responses are suppressed by recombinant UG treatment (Mandal, A. K., Zhang, Z., Ray, R., Choi, M. S., Chowdhury, B., Pattabiraman, N., and Mukherjee, A. B. (2004) J. Exp. Med. 199, 1317–1330). Recent reports indicate that human orthologs of murine squamous cell carcinoma antigen-2 (SCCA-2/serpinb3a), a serine protease-inhibitor, are overexpressed in the airways of asthmatic patients. We report here that compared with wild type littermates, UG-KO mouse lungs express markedly elevated levels of SCCA-2 mRNA and protein, which are augmented by allergen-challenge. Most importantly, these effects are abrogated by recombinant UG treatment. We further demonstrate that treatment of cultured human bronchial epithelial cells with IL-4 or IL-13 stimulates phosphorylation of STAT-1 and STAT-6 leading to SCCA-1 (SERPINB3) and SCCA-2 (SERPINB4) gene expression. We propose that: (i) IL-4- and IL-13-stimulated SCCA gene expression is mediated via STAT-1 and STAT-6 activation, and (ii) by suppressing the production, and most likely by interfering with the signaling of these cytokines, UG inhibits SCCA gene expression associated with airway inflammation in asthma.
An Evaluation of a Neighborhood-Level Intervention to a Local Food Environment

Background The impact of local availability of healthy foods on dietary intake and health has been established. Interventions to local environments are being evaluated for their efficacy and sustainability. Purpose The aim of this paper is to provide an evaluation of a community-driven approach to transform neighborhood healthy food availability. Methods The information provided comes from minutes of monthly meetings of the partners, newsletters, media, and other store and project documentation. In addition, qualitative interviews with key stakeholders and co-op members were conducted. All of the participating individuals were interviewed during 2008 and analysis took place in 2010. Each interview was audio-taped and transcribed to form verbatim transcripts, then content analyzed for themes. Results The implementation phase of the initiative had long-standing negative repercussions on the ability of the store to be successful because of renting too large a space; not branding the store early; early misperceptions by community members about the store; and the changing of organizational partners and personnel, which resulted in a lack of leadership for the store. Equally important, the lack of project personnel or consultants with business experience directly related to operating a food store reverberated into issues related to marketing, price structuring, decisions about stocking the store, as well as accounting. Conclusions Repercussions of these challenges included unmet goals in terms of attracting local residents to become members of the co-op, low sales levels, and reduced confidence in the long-term sustainability of the food cooperative. Approaches to modifications of local food environments are likely to require additional resources beyond funding in order to secure positive outcomes.
Phase control of floating bodies from an on-board reference

Abstract This paper investigates methods for applying switching (latching) control on a floating body employed as a wave energy converter in deep water. In the first of the systems examined here, a platform on-board the floating body is dynamically ‘motion compensated’ using another on-board oscillating mass. Phase control and energy absorption are via the motion compensated platform. In the second technique, a single on-board platform dynamically ‘motion compensates’ and releases the floating body as needed, and the relative motion between the two is used for energy absorption. In both cases, a variational formulation is used to derive the optimal latching sequence. Time-domain simulations are carried out in regular and irregular waves, and results are obtained to understand the dynamics of the two systems.
Critical Success Factors for Radical Technological Innovation: A Five Case Study

We analyze the critical success factors for radical technological innovation according to four perspectives: as R&D projects, as technological innovations, as internal ventures, and as changes in corporate strategy. We apply ex-post eleven critical success factors to the pairwaise comparison of three radical innovations: GE Project EHV-UHV (success), GE non-impact printer (failure), and Xerox non-impact printer (success). We then apply ex-ante the same factors to “predict” the failure of Motorola’s Iridium satellite communication system and the success of Nokia’s cellular phones.
Synthesis and Characterization of Ni3S2 Single Crystals

Abstract The synthesis and growth of single crystals of Ni3S2 are described. Structural information is provided on the room-temperature configuration of this compound. Measurements of electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and heat capacity below room temperature have been carried out and are briefly discussed. The material may be classified as a good metallic conductor.
Human jejunal brush border folate conjugase. Characteristics and inhibition by salicylazosulfapyridine

Abstract Human jejunal brush border folate conjugase (EC 3.4.22.—) was partially purified and characterized. Three drugs known to be associated with clinical folate deficiency were tested for inhibition of the partially purified enzyme. Using jejunal mucosa from obese patients undergoing intestinal bypass surgery, brush border folate conjugase was purified 50–80-fold by centrifugation, Triton X-100 solubilization and DEAE-Sephadex and Sephacryl S-200 chromatography. Using synthetic pteroyldiglutamyl[ 14 C]glutamate as substrate, the enzyme was found to have a pH optimum of 6.5 and an apparent K m of 1.6 μM. Incubation of the enzyme with synthetic pteroyl[ 14 C]glutamylhexaglutamate resulted in a spectrum of shorter-chain 14 C-labeled pteroylglutamates at 60 min. Pteroyl[ 14 C]glutamate was the major product at 120 min, with quantitative recovery of free glutamate in the incubation medium. Salicylazo-sulfapyridine was a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme ( K i = 0.13 mM), while ethanol, diphenylhydantoin and salicylazosulfapyridine metabolites had no effect. These data suggest that brush border folate conjugase is an exopeptidase which progressively hydrolyzes glutamyl units from pteroylpolyglutamate, leaving pteroylmonoglutamate as the folate form available for intestinal transport. Inhibition of brush border folate conjugase by salicylazosulfapyridine provides a mechanism for folate malabsorption and deficiency in chronic users of this drug.
An Integrated Approach to Soil Compaction Prediction

Several areas of study are contributing to the development of procedures to predict soil compaction from machinery traffic. Stresses at the soil-tyre interface are being measured. Analytical and finite element analyses are being used to predict stresses throughout the soil profile. Constitutive stress-strain relationships link soil stresses to compaction and strain. Measured stress states in the soil profile provide intermediate validation of the procedures. This paper summarizes research on measurement of soil-tyre interface stresses, measurement of stress states in the soil profile, the development of soil constitutive relationships and analytical and finite element methods to represent the soil compaction process.
The geometry of the slice-ribbon problem

One of the principal problems in low-dimensional topology concerns the question of whether all slice knots are ribbon(3),(4). It will be shown in this paper that this problem is closely related to geometric properties of discs properly embedded in the unit 4-ball in Euclidean space. The main result, Theorem 1·13, states that a knot is ribbon if and only if a representative within its isotopy class bounds an embedded minimal disc, and that this in turn happens if and only if a representative bounds a disc of sufficiently small total curvature.
Comparing the Defect Reduction Benefits of Code Inspection and Test-Driven Development

This study is a quasi experiment comparing the software defect rates and implementation costs of two methods of software defect reduction: code inspection and test-driven development. We divided participants, consisting of junior and senior computer science students at a large Southwestern university, into four groups using a two-by-two, between-subjects, factorial design and asked them to complete the same programming assignment using either test-driven development, code inspection, both, or neither. We compared resulting defect counts and implementation costs across groups. We found that code inspection is more effective than test-driven development at reducing defects, but that code inspection is also more expensive. We also found that test-driven development was no more effective at reducing defects than traditional programming methods.
The combined effects of transport and food and water deprivation on the physiology of breeding age gilts

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 h transport period on the physiology and reproductive success of breeding age gilts, simulating transport of breeding gilts from one farm to a commercial breeding herd. Fifty gilts were allocated to one of five transport (TRANS) treatment groups; transported for 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 h. Fifteen gilts were allocated to one of five control (CON) treatments; gilts remained in their home pen for 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 h. Every 6 h, gilts from one TRANS treatment were removed from the trailer. Blood samples were collected from gilts and their respective controls before and after transport. Gilts were then bred after puberty. The granulocyte to lymphocyte ratio ( P P P P P > 0.05) among treatments regardless of the length of transport duration. These data indicate that gilts transported for a period of up to 30 h experienced initial acute stress during the first 6 to 12 h and changes in water homeostasis throughout the 30 h journey due to dehydration, food deprivation, and transport, however reproductive measures suggest that the long-term homeostasis of the gilts in this study were not significantly compromised. Transport of breeding gilts induced acute, transient stress but did not negatively impact reproductive performance. Interestingly, gilts were more at risk of physiological perturbations when transported 6 h or less than 12 to 30 h.